Arsenal have reached a full agreement with Newcastle United over an £80 million deal for Bruno Guimaraes, according to reports in Brazil. The Premier League champions have made Guimaraes their priority midfield signing, having seen bids of £55m and £70m rejected by Newcastle.
After reports in France on Friday claimed a breakthrough, ESPN Brasil reported on Saturday that Arsenal have finalised the deal. The agreement will see Arsenal pay £70m up front, plus a further £10m in add-ons.
Guimaraes to sign in London
The report adds that Guimaraes is set to travel to London this weekend to sign his contract with Arsenal. The 28-year-old has asked Newcastle to delay his travel to La Manga for a pre-season training camp, suggesting the move could be completed imminently.
Guimaraes was expected back at Newcastle for training on Monday after featuring for Brazil at the World Cup this summer. He is pushing to leave in order to continue playing in the Champions League, with Newcastle having finished 12th in the Premier League last season and missing out on European football entirely.
Howe's departure strengthens exit
Guimaraes's desire to move is also likely to be strengthened by Eddie Howe's departure from Newcastle this week. Howe was said to have grown 'exasperated' by the club's decision to sell Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon this summer, and he privately expected club captain Guimaraes to join Arsenal.
In what turned out to be his final interview as Newcastle manager on Wednesday night after a 4-1 pre-season friendly defeat to Bristol City, Howe said he could not guarantee Guimaraes would remain at St James' Park.
‘Assurances… I don’t think you can push too hard for those. I think I’ve said many times you want players that are committed,’ Howe said. ‘Bruno’s always been committed here. His training performances, his game performances, have been outstanding. Every time he’s worn the shirt, he’s played with the fans by his side. I’d love to see that continue.
‘I think we want to keep all of our best players. They’re so valuable, and as I said numerous times, there aren’t many of them, and to get them and develop them is so difficult.
‘So when you have them, you want to keep them. And Bruno’s very much in that category, he’s an outstanding player.’
