Arsenal know that agreeing personal terms with Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes would not be an issue, but persuading their Premier League rivals to green light a sale remains a difficult task.
The Magpies have already seen two key first team stars quit St James' Park this summer with Anthony Gordon joining Barcelona and Sandro Tonali making his way to Tottenham Hotspur.
Eddie Howe faces a battle to hold onto top talent on Tyneside and losing midfield metronome Guimaraes would be another blow for the Magpies boss.
Newcastle United have, so far, fought to keep Guimaraes at the club for the 2026/27 campaign, rejecting an initial £70 million bid from Arsenal. However, the Gunners do not consider the transfer saga to be over.
Arsenal Ready to Pay £77m for Bruno Guimaraes
Bruno Guimaraes celebrating after a Newcastle United goal
Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo report that Arsenal are ready to pay up to £77m to sign Guimaraes. Before that, a bid worth £70m is expected to be sent to St James' Park in the 'coming hours'.
The Gunners begin their season with the Community Shield clash against Manchester City on August 16 and appear keen to push through a deal for Guimaraes before then.
The report adds that, should Newcastle United reject the €82m bid, the London outfit are willing to increase their offer to €90m. However, that is the maximum fee that Arsenal would be willing to pay.
Arsenal are determined to improve their squad as Arteta looks to defend the Premier League title, but an unwillingness to be held for ransom has already proved costly.
Arsenal stubborn on player valuations
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta celebrates Champions League win against Atletico Madrid
The BBC claims that the Gunners held serious interest in Aston Villa star and England international Morgan Rogers, but refused to offer more than £80million. The winger eventually joined London rivals Chelsea for a lofty £117million.
Newcastle United paid £45million to sign Guimaraes from Lyon in January 2022. He has gone on to make 195 appearances for the club.
Despite having another two years left on his deal at St James' Park, the midfielder is believed to be keen to follow Tonali and Gordon out the door after the team's underwhelming 2025/26 season.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Guimaraes has not yet returned for pre-season with the Magpies, having been granted holiday following his World Cup exploits. Howe was asked about the 'world-class' player's future on Saturday, following a pre-season friendly against Gateshead.
He said: "I've had some really good conversations with him before the World Cup, during the World Cup and after the World Cup. What we speak about has to remain private, but he's just a great player, a great person.
"I don't know what's going to happen with Bruno's future. That's for other people to speculate about. They are conversations that I'm not part of."
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