Bruno Guimaraes will return to Newcastle United training later this month following Brazil’s disappointing World Cup campaign.
Bruno Guimaraes’ representatives have reportedly offered Danilo Santos to Newcastle United as bait to force through an Arsenal transfer.
As it stands, the Toon skipper is enjoying some end-of-season downtime after Brazil’s disappointing World Cup campaign. Guimaraes - a hero on Tyneside - is keen to join the Premier League champions.
Arsenal are yet to make a formal approach for the midfielder as the two clubs remain wide apart in terms of valuation. Newcastle value Guimaraes closer to the £100million mark - the same figure that saw Sandro Tonali join Tottenham Hotspur.
Bruno Guimaraes hires Kia Joorabchian
Guimaraes’ long-term agent is fellow Brazilian Alexis Malavolta. He has a close association with Giuliano Bertolucci, who helped broker Arsenal’s deals for Gabriel and David Luiz.
But as reported last week, it is understood that the pair have drafted in “super agent” Kia Joorabchian to help facilitate an Arsenal move. The Iranian-born businessman first came to prominence as part of the Carlos Tevez controversy involving West Ham and Sheffield United - in 2007.
His investment firm, Media Sports Investments, purchased the economic and registration rights to Tevez and Javier Mascherano, forcing the Premier League to ban third-party ownership in football. Joorabchian is renowned as a deal-maker - particularly with South American stars.
Danilo Santos trick
Brazilian media now report that Botafogo midfielder Danilo has been used as a potential peace offering to Newcastle. He has the same agency as Guimaraes and is valued at £35million.
Danilo has eight caps for Brazil and is described as having sharp passing, defensive awareness and ball-carrying ability. The 25-year-old can operate as a box-to-box No.8 or deep-lying playmaker - akin to Guimaraes.
According to journalist Vene Casagrande, his representatives have positioned him as a ready-made replacement to help push Guimaraes’ move to Arsenal. Toon chiefs are understood to be holding firm on the talisman’s price tag.
Newcastle United stance
As mentioned, Newcastle are yet to receive a concrete offer from Arsenal. While the club wish to avoid an Alexander Isak 2.0, they do not want - or need - to sell their captain.
Offloading Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali has given the Magpies headroom in the market. For now, Newcastle sit and wait for the Gunners to formalise their interest.
Unlike the Isak saga - where the transfer fee was never considered an obstacle - the disparity in valuation is a stumbling block. Any sale would be done on Newcastle’s terms, who are keen to avoid looking weak after already losing two high-profile stars.
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