Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Bruno Guimarães, with Newcastle United now expected to accept an offer worth **more than £70 million** for their captain.
The Gunners have made the Brazilian midfielder one of their priority targets throughout the summer, and negotiations have accelerated following a dramatic 24 hours at Newcastle.
According to The Sun, Arsenal are now edging towards an agreement with Newcastle, who are expected to sanction a deal worth north of £70 million.
The report adds that Guimarães is eager to make the move to the Emirates Stadium, while personal terms are not expected to present any issues, meaning the focus is now on finalising an agreement between the two clubs.
READ MORE: Arsenal complete signing with Bruno Guimaraes next
If completed, it would represent one of Arsenal’s biggest signings under Mikel Arteta.
The development follows a remarkable series of updates surrounding Newcastle.
On Thursday morning, Eddie Howe left the club with immediate effect, before BBC Sport’s Sami Mokbel reported that Bruno Guimarães’ future was not linked to the manager’s departure and that there was an expectation from multiple sources that an agreement with Arsenal was achievable.
Luke Edwards of The Telegraph also revealed that Howe believed Guimarães would be sold this summer, describing the situation as “the final straw” behind his exit.
Now, Arsenal appear to be moving closer than ever to completing the deal.
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Guimarães has been admired by Arsenal for several years, with the club tracking him since his days at Lyon before he joined Newcastle in January 2022.
Andrea Berta has identified the 28-year-old as the ideal addition to Mikel Arteta’s midfield, believing his Premier League experience, leadership qualities and technical ability would provide elite competition alongside Declan Rice and Martín Zubimendi.
The signing would also address one of Arsenal’s biggest concerns from last season.
Rice and Zubimendi were relied upon heavily throughout the campaign, and Arteta has made it clear this week that winning the Premier League is not enough, insisting Arsenal need “a better squad and better individuals” if they are to continue competing for the biggest trophies.
Guimarães fits that profile perfectly.
While Newcastle have yet to officially approve Arsenal’s latest offer, the latest reports suggest a breakthrough is now edging closer.
With the player keen to join, personal terms effectively agreed and growing confidence that Newcastle will accept a fee exceeding £70 million, Arsenal are now closing in on one of the statement signings of the summer transfer window.
NEXT ARTICLE: The BBC delivers major Bruno Guimaraes update after Eddie Howe exit
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