Bruno Guimaraes and Lewis Hall in Newcastle United's 2026/27 away kit
Bruno Guimaraes and Lewis Hall in Newcastle United's 2026/27 away kit
Newcastle United chiefs don't need to be told that selling Bruno Guimaraes could come with a backlash from some sections of the fanbase.
But then the stance has never been to sell the Carabao Cup-winning skipper meaning Arsenal will have to fight tooth and nail to get his signature.
Will the Gunners have the resolve to do that? We'll have to wait and see. Given the lowballing and chattering away on the sidelines so far they need to up their game.
The word from the top is clear, and the fact of the matter is Newcastle don't want to sell the Brazil international, given his value in terms of leadership, ability, and commercial value.
Bruno has essentially been the club's poster boy since 2022, and even this summer, with Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali sold, the plan was never to get rid of the South American. That is why he was at the centre of their kit launch, and a No 39 shirt with Guimaraes was still on display in the club shop as Arsenal's first official bid became public.
For six weeks, Arsenal have played out a transfer game off stage via intermediaries and third parties, with Guimaraes' agent looped in along the way. Slowly but surely, it has turned the player's head, but the reality is that Newcastle don't want to part with the skipper, or at least not at the figures being bandied around.
Supporters will see the early talk of £40m-£50m as an insult, given Bruno is their star man, while even £70m seems awfully light for the Magpies' shining light.
It remains to be seen what the tipping point is and it isn't the place of Chronicle Live to suggest prices but fans know the score, and can see the skipper is worth more than those sums above.
Bearing in mind Declan Rice is a £100m player with fewer goals (25) than Bruno's 30-strike Premier League tally and just five more assists than the Brazilian (25), Newcastle know what the answer would be if they tried to sign the England star for £70m, who is just a year younger.
Putting that aside, selling Bruno - a year after Alexander Isak and weeks after Gordon and Tonali - could be the straw that breaks the camel's back.
Of course, fans won't stop backing their side, but it raises serious questions about the club's business and ambition. Yes, fans accept trading has to happen and be better, but this has turned into a fire sale, and amid talk of Lewis Hall and Man United, where is it going to end?
And with 29 days left of the window a quality and experienced replacement would be needed for Bruno.
The view internally seems to be that the sale of Tonali signalled the end of the high-profile exits, but while Newcastle can try to hold on to players, the work of agents and their entourage is massively influential.
Newcastle could yet get tough and hold a strong stance, and if they do, the city will feel lifted after a tough summer so far. To roll over now and hand Arsenal, Newcastle's leader and the heartbeat of the club, would be an own goal of drastic proportions, even if they get a good price.
Here at ChronicleLive, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Newcastle United coverage and analysis.
Make sure you don't miss out on the latest NUFC news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.
You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day's biggest stories.
And, finally, if you would rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Everything is Black and White podcast. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and you can also watch along on YouTube.
Tribute to a true footballing legend, Kevin Keegan
As Britain’s only multi -Ballon d’Or winner, his deeds on the pitch for Liverpool, Hamburg, Southampton and Newcastle were legendary in their own right.
But the beauty of Keegan is that he was about far more than kicking or heading a ball. He was a man of the people, the authentic working class idol who always put the fans first and was never too busy to turn down an autograph request or, in more recent times, a selfie.
This special edition covers off the many highs, and the occasional low, of a career in which Special K was the most popular footballer of his generation and then a manager the fan on the street could warm to and identify with.
To slightly alter the words of the great man himself, We’d Love It if you enjoy reading about the many memories. LOVE IT!
ORDER YOUR SPECIAL SOUVENIR TRIBUTE TO A TRUE FOOTBALLING LEGEND HERE