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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal have been advised to pull out of the race to sign Newcastle United wantaway midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
The Premier League champions made a shock approach for Guimaraes last month but saw their £45m verbal offer knocked back by Newcastle.
Arsenal were expected to return with an improved bid in the region of £60m and were boosted by reports the Brazilian had informed Newcastle of his desire to move to north London.
Guimaraes has developed into a huge fans’ favourite at St James’ Park, helping Newcastle qualify for the Champions League and win the Carabao Cup since his £40m move from Lyon in 2022.
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But the 28-year-old is reportedly keen on a summer switch after Newcastle finished just 12th in the Premier League last season.
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Joining Mikel Arteta’s Premier League champions is an appealing prospect but the Gunners are believed to be having second thoughts about a move, with Newcastle wanting around £100m to sanction his exit.
Pulling out of a deal would be a sensible option, according to former Newcastle and England winger Chris Waddle, who says he ‘doesn’t get’ why Arsenal were pursuing Guimaraes in the first place.
Brazil v Norway: Round of 16 - FIFA World Cup 2026
Bruno Guimaraes during the World Cup (Picture: Getty)
‘I don’t get Arsenal. They’ve got a big squad as it is, and I just don’t understand why they keep getting linked with these players,’ Waddle told 10bet.
‘Mind you, it could just be his agent pushing stories. I’m surprised Arsenal are linked with him. He’s nearly 30 and he’s going to want at least a four-year contract, so I don’t see where that story has come from.
‘There will be clubs interested if the price is right, but because he’ll want a long contract, not many clubs will do that without getting any financial return on the investment down the line.
Sunderland v Newcastle United - Emirates FA Cup Third Round
Ex-Newcastle winger Chris Waddle (Picture: Getty)
‘You don’t want to pay £50m, £60m, or £70m for someone you’re not going to get anything back on. It will be interesting to see what happens.’
Asked whether he is ‘worried’ Guimaraes will leave St James’ Park this summer, Waddle added: ‘For a lot of players, a World Cup is a shop window.
‘Years ago, they used to say if you have a good World Cup, you’ll get a lot of clubs after you. I think he’s done okay, though I wasn’t that impressed with Brazil, to be honest.
Newcastle United v Crystal Palace - Premier League
Guimaraes has become a fans’ favourite at Newcastle (Picture: Getty)
‘He has a great engine, he’s tidy, and he keeps the ball well. I can see why he fits into a lot of teams.
‘Going into that tournament, him and his agent will have known if he wants to leave Newcastle, and clubs will have been in touch with his agent after watching him.
‘I believe he has about two years left on his Newcastle contract, so he might be looking for a four-year contract somewhere else – probably the last biggest pay day of what is left in his career.
‘Unless Newcastle upgrade his contract, you could see him leaving. I’m sure clubs are interested, but because he has two years left, Newcastle can demand a hefty price.
‘That might stop a lot of clubs because they’ll question if he’s worth that much money.
‘If Newcastle are looking for £50m or £60m, there are not going to be many clubs that will pay that for a player his age.’
Guimaraes’ Brazil were knocked out of the World Cup by Norway in the round-of-16.
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