Arsenal close in on £85m Bruno Guimaraes transfer image
Arsenal are closing in on a eal for Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes, with negotiations between the two Premier League clubs now at an advanced stage, The Sporting News understands.
Talks are understood to be centred on a deal worth around £85 million ($114m) for the Brazil international, with Newcastle now prepared to sanction his departure after previously resisting Arsenal's attempts to sign him.
The remaining discussions concern the final details and structure of the transfer, with Guimaraes increasingly likely to become a major addition to Mikel Arteta's squad.
The 28-year-old has two years remaining on his Newcastle contract but is keen to take the next step in his career. Newcastle's absence from European competition in the coming season is understood to have played a significant part in his willingness to move.
Additionally, Eddie Howe stepped down as Newcastle manager this week, after more than four and a half years at St. James' Park.
Guimaraes had been expected to link up with the Newcastle squad in Spain this weekend for preseason training.
Instead, with his future still being resolved, he has remained in Brazil while negotiations continue.
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Gunners make Bruno breakthrough
Newcastle have maintained a firm stance over Guimaraes throughout the summer and were unwilling to lose one of their most important players without receiving a substantial fee.
Arsenal's pursuit began during the World Cup, when their opening proposal was reportedly worth around £50m.
That was considerably short of Newcastle's valuation and led to a prolonged period of negotiations.
The situation has now progressed, however, with an overall package of approximately £85m bringing the two clubs closer to an agreement.
Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has been heavily involved in the negotiations and is a long-standing admirer of Guimaraes.
Berta previously wanted to sign the midfielder while working at Atletico Madrid in 2020, before Guimaraes eventually moved from Athletico Paranaense to Lyon.
Six years later, he is now pushing to bring the Brazilian to north London.
Why Arsenal want Bruno Guimaraes
Guimaraes has established himself as one of the Premier League's leading midfielders since Newcastle signed him from Lyon in January 2022.
His technical ability, aggression and capacity to dictate matches quickly made him a favourite at St James' Park, while his influence eventually saw him handed the captaincy.
He was also the Newcastle player who lifted the Carabao Cup after their triumph in the 2024/25 season, ending the club's long wait for a major domestic trophy.
Arsenal believe those qualities could translate immediately into Arteta's midfield.
Guimaraes is comfortable operating as a deeper midfielder or further forward and would provide Arsenal with another player capable of progressing possession through pressure while also bringing significant Premier League experience.
His performances for Brazil have further strengthened his reputation.
Guimaraes registered four assists during the 2026 World Cup, although his tournament ended painfully when he missed a penalty as Brazil were eliminated by Norway in the round of 16.
When could Bruno Guimaraes join Arsenal?
There is not yet a completed agreement and the final elements of the transfer still need to be settled.
But Newcastle's willingness to sell represents a crucial change in negotiations and has brought Arsenal significantly closer to completing one of the biggest deals of the summer transfer window.
Guimaraes remaining in Brazil rather than joining Newcastle's preseason preparations in Spain is another indication that clarity over his future could arrive soon.
Should the deal be completed at around £85m, Guimaraes would become among the most expensive signings in Arsenal history.