Bruno Guimaraes is expected to join Arsenal
Bruno Guimaraes is expected to join Arsenal
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Arsenal are seeking to close a deal for Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes in the coming days in a transfer expected to reach £80million - potentially up to £85m with bonuses.
So far, the Gunners have seen two proposals, presented via intermediaries, rebuffed by the Magpies, who continue to deny there has even been club-to-club contact between the parties to date.
Their most recent offer is understood to have been a fixed fee of £70m plus around £5m in contingents, which Newcastle did not deem acceptable.
The initial discussions were around a £55m package plus additional bonuses. It was not a verbal proposal, but those figures were not entertained and merely got the ball rolling.
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The numbers then gradually rose to £65m, then £75m. The next one is expected to close the deal, as revealed by football.london on Thursday.
Sources at St James' Park have intimated there's a level of frustration about Arsenal's strategy, however, there is now growing expectation that a deal will be struck following the departure of boss Eddie Howe.
It's understood he has instead remained in Brazil, specifically in Rio de Janeiro, where he has spent the past few days with his father Dick Gomez and agent Alexis Malavolta.
On Wednesday evening following the 4-1 friendly defeat to Bristol City, now-departed boss Howe indicated he expected Guimaraes to be back with the team this Friday, as he had also previously stated on July 26.
When asked if he'd be travelling to La Manga with the squad, he told reporters at Ashton Gate: "That's a good question. The details, I don't actually know but I see no reason why that wouldn't be the case."
It's believed there has been a shift over the past 48 hours, not least because Arsenal are drawing closer to striking a full agreement with Newcastle.
Bruno Guimaraes
Bruno Guimaraes is closing in on a transfer to Arsenal(Image: Pablo Morano/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
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As club captain, Guimaraes is reluctant to stoop to the same levels as Alexander Isak last summer to force through a transfer but he has, on several occasions, communicated his desire to pursue a move to the Premier League champions. This has been relayed in the past few days, again.
Sources from his inner circle have confirmed he was initially poised to return to England today but now, the 'delay' is set to provide the two clubs with an opportunity to thrash out final terms to avoid the situation getting out of hand.
Despite denials from the Magpies, Guimaraes' people insists he would be free to leave the club, providing a valuation was met, if the club failed to qualify for Champions League football.
Newcastle are currently focusing their efforts on finalising the terms and legalities of new boss Matthias Jaissle's contract, which is deemed their utmost priority.
In the past few days, Guimaraes hosted a 'leaving party' in Brazil, however, the family celebration which also included a guest appearance from singer Belo was to celebrate the end of his summer holidays - not an impending transfer.
The 28-year-old also attended Vasco da Gama's 1-1 draw with Mirassol on Sunday as he awaited developments on his future back in England.
Arsenal are now set to proceed with all the formal steps required to finalise a deal with Newcastle before his planned return to training on Monday.
Ideally, Guimaraes would favour travelling England to complete transfer formalities immediately, as opposed to joining Newcastle's camp for a few days, if he's going to depart.
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