Arsenal have intensified their pursuit of Bruno Guimaraes after an opening bid for the Newcastle captain was rejected, with the midfielder now expected to push for a move to the Gunners.
The transfer saga is quickly becoming the biggest of the summer window. Guimaraes has long been identified as a top target for Arsenal, who want to add quality to their midfield before the new Premier League season begins. Interest in the Newcastle skipper has been well documented for some time, but there has been little concrete movement until now.
Arsenal are finally ramping up their efforts, and there is said to be optimism that a deal can be agreed. Yet, as previous windows have shown, doing business with Newcastle is rarely straightforward.
Newcastle reject opening bid
The Magpies reportedly waved away Arsenal's first proposal, according to Chronicle Live, although the bid value has not been disclosed. Newcastle previously dragged out Alexander Isak's sale to Liverpool last summer, and they could take a similar approach with Guimaraes.
A separate report from L'Equipe suggests personal terms have already been finalised on a contract until the summer of 2031. The same report claims a transfer fee has also been agreed, but that does not appear to be the case.
Guimaraes at pre-season camp and expected to push for exit
Guimaraes is currently in La Manga for Newcastle's pre-season training camp, having arrived on Monday to join his team-mates. There were weekend reports that he had failed to attend, but Chronicle Live insists he was always scheduled to report back that day and broke no rules.
The midfielder is reportedly keen to join Arsenal and is expected to repeat that wish in talks with Newcastle officials. The club are reluctant to sell after already losing Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon earlier in the summer, and they have not indicated what they would accept for their captain.
Tonali joined Tottenham for £100m, while Gordon moved to Barcelona for around £75m. Other reports have suggested Eddie Howe chose to step down as manager partly because he believed Guimaraes would eventually be sold.
With Arsenal's opening bid already submitted, the situation may not stay unresolved for long.
