Fabrizio Romano has dropped important news regarding Arsenal's pursuit of Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
The Gunners have been eyeing Guimaraes, and the Brazilian has been open to a move to the Emirates after the Magpies' failure to qualify for Europe. He is at the top of Mikel Arteta's wishlist, and the Spaniard wants him to become his latest big-name midfield arrival.
It feels as though Arteta wants a top midfield signing each summer after signing Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad for £60 million. Mikel Merino arrived from the Spanish club for £27.4 million a year before, and Declan Rice became their club record signing in a £105 million deal in July 2023.
'Contract is Done' - Guimaraes Agrees Arsenal Move
Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes celebrates vs Crystal Palacevia Reuters
Arsenal have already made a concrete move for Guimaraes, but Newcastle have been blocking a potential transfer. The Tyneside giants want to keep their captain, who has been hugely important for Eddie Howe since arriving from Lyon for £40 million.
Romano has delved into the situation and confirmed that the 28-year-old has agreed on a move to the Emirates. He said on his YouTube channel:
"Arsenal are ready to send a new bid for Bruno Guimaraes. Arsenal ready. Arsenal want to go for Bruno. Arsenal have full agreement in place with Bruno Guimaraes on personal terms. So the contract is ready. The contract is done. Bruno said yes to Arsenal. Bruno wants to be respectful with Newcastle, so he doesn't want to break the relationship. But Bruno wants to go. Bruno made clear to Newcastle that his desire is to go."
Guimaraes had been linked with Arsenal before moving to Newcastle back in January 2022. He has since been a revelation at St James' Park, thriving with performances that have seen him labelled 'world-class.'
While Romano doesn't mention how much the Gunners are looking to bid, previous reports suggest a £70 million offer is expected to be made. Given Guimaraes' clear desire to make the move, it feels as though this is a transfer that gets done despite the Magpies' reluctance to sell.
Arsenal's Midfield Will be Scary
Declan Rice with Premier League trophyREUTERS/Hannah Mckay
Guimaraes gets into pretty much any Premier League team's midfield, and the possibility of seeing him line up alongside Declan Rice will frighten Arsenal's rivals. His all-round game is second to none, and he will only help Arteta try to successfully retain the title.
Whether the Brazilian's potential exit could have repercussions for other midfielders at the Emirates is unclear. A report earlier this week claimed that Martin Odegaard's future could be in doubt if the Newcastle skipper arrives.
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Guimaraes is at his peak and his personality could be a perfect fit for this Gunners team. After just falling short at the final hurdle in last season's Champions League, this addition could be the catalyst for a first European trophy.