Arsenal are set to complete the signing of Bruno Guimaraes after reaching an agreement with Newcastle United in a deal worth up to £80 million, according to reports from ESPN Brasil.
The Premier League champions will pay an initial £70 million, with a further £10 million in performance-related bonuses, to secure one of Mikel Arteta’s priority targets.
Guimaraes is now expected to travel to London to finalise the formalities of the move and sign a long-term contract with Arsenal.
The transfer represents the biggest breakthrough yet in Arsenal’s pursuit of the Brazil international, with the midfielder’s determination to join the club understood to have played a key role in pushing negotiations towards a successful conclusion.
The report suggest Guimaraes informed Newcastle that he wanted to make the switch after the Magpies failed to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
That stance is believed to have encouraged Newcastle to honour a previous commitment to facilitate a transfer should the right offer arrive.
Arsenal have admired Guimaraes since his time at Lyon and have continued to monitor his development throughout his four-and-a-half years in the Premier League.
The 28-year-old has since established himself as one of the Premier League’s standout midfielders, combining defensive intensity with creativity, leadership and outstanding technical quality.
His arrival would further strengthen an Arsenal midfield that already includes Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi, giving Arteta another elite option as the club prepares to defend its Premier League title.
Sporting director Andrea Berta has focused this summer on adding players capable of making an immediate impact rather than long-term projects, and Guimaraes fits that profile perfectly.
Arteta recently spoke about taking Arsenal “to a different level”, insisting the champions could not afford to stand still after last season’s success.
Landing one of the Premier League’s most consistent midfielders would certainly support that ambition.
For Newcastle, Guimaraes’ departure would mark another significant change during a difficult summer.
Anthony Gordon has already joined Barcelona, Sandro Tonali has completed a move to Tottenham Hotspur, while Eddie Howe has also left the club, leaving a new era to begin on Tyneside.
Although Newcastle have moved to reshape their squad, replacing the influence of their captain will represent a significant challenge.
Should the remaining paperwork be completed over the weekend as expected, Arsenal will have secured one of the Premier League’s marquee signings of the summer and added another proven winner to a squad determined to remain at the summit of English football.