Arsenal are poised to sign a marquee midfielder during the summer transfer window, and Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes has emerged as the prime target.
The Gunners have already made a verbal offer worth £45m for the 28-year-old, which was immediately snubbed by the Magpies, as per Chronicle Live.
Spanish publication AS now reveal that his situation at Newcastle is uncertain amid the ongoing transfer interest from the Premier League champions.
Arsenal are willing to negotiate with Newcastle for the Brazilian, but not at the €90m (£77m) asking price that the Magpies are demanding for a sale.
Arsenal could ultimately secure Guimaraes deal
Newcastle have made it clear they don’t want to part ways with their captain, but the 28-year-old could be sold for the right price with less than two years remaining on his contract.
The Tyneside outfit have yet to make any progress over a renewal. Arsenal would not have made a verbal offer for Guimaraes unless they received positive feedback from his entourage.
The Gunners are unlikely to match the Magpies’ £77m valuation for the experienced midfielder, but a deal could be done for a slightly negotiated fee of £60m with £5m in add-ons, in our view.
Guimaraes, described as ‘complete‘ by Sky Sports, would be a fabulous acquisition. The Brazilian made 15 goal contributions for the Magpies in the league last term despite missing several games due to injury.
He was brilliant defensively too, with almost six duels and two tackles won per game alongside four recoveries. He would be a perfect foil for Declan Rice in the heart of the Gunners’ midfield.
With Rice managing neural hamstring pain, there could be several instances during the first half of the 2026/27 season when Arsenal may need to rest or play him as a substitute.
In Guimaraes, Arsenal would have a perfect midfielder to operate in the number six and number eight roles and ensure that the Gunners don’t miss Rice’s presence on the pitch.
Arsenal are poised to return with a second verbal offer for Guimaraes soon. It remains to be seen whether they can persuade the Magpies to part ways with the former Lyon man.
Stats from Transfermarkt & Sofascore