NEWCASTLE are still waiting for Premier League champions Arsenal to make a move in their long-running pursuit of Bruno Guimaraes.
The Gunners’ interest in the 28-year-old Magpies skipper is an open secret but, despite weeks of speculation since it emerged the Brazil international was open to the switch, there has been no formal contact between the clubs.
Indeed, sources on Tyneside have indicated Newcastle are increasingly irritated by the situation amid repeated claims talks are under way.
They do not want to sell a man who has been central to the club’s resurgence under their Saudi-backed owners, particularly after losing fellow midfielder Sandro Tonali to Tottenham already this summer, albeit in return for £100 million.
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However, in an era governed by the need to comply with both Premier League and UEFA spending restrictions, they know every player has his price and, should Arsenal finally place their cards on the table – it is understood they would have to offer in excess of £80 million to get their hands on the former Lyon player – they would have a decision to make.
Guimaraes arrived at St James’ Park in a £35 million switch from the Ligue 1 side in January 2022 as Amanda Staveley’s consortium opened the purse strings three months after completing their takeover.
Initially nursed into the team by head coach Eddie Howe, he quickly established himself as a fans’ favourite and, having been appointed captain, led the Magpies to their first major domestic trophy for 70 years in the 2024-25 Carabao Cup final.
Should he depart, he would leave a sizeable hole in a team already depleted by the departures of Tonali and Barcelona-bound England forward Anthony Gordon this summer.
Replacements have to date proved difficult to recruit and, with the new season just a month away, it promises to be a crucial few weeks for sporting director Ross Wilson and his team.