Arsenal have already secured an agreement to land Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, according to ESPN Brasil journalist Bruno Andrade.
The Gunners have been locked in negotiations with the Magpies through intermediaries over the past few weeks, and it was recently reported that a package worth £80 million was finalised.
However, there has been little to no activity since. Guimaraes has travelled to Spain for Newcastle’s pre-season training, while Arsenal are yet to schedule a medical for the Brazil international.
Andrade, speaking on his YouTube channel, has now revealed that Guimaraes to Arsenal has been a ‘done deal since the weekend’. A fee worth £80m has already been agreed, with nothing to negotiate.
He said (translated by Sport Witness): “I know a lot of people are going down different paths and reporting different information. I am not an official source, and I do not own the story, but I trust the people I have spoken to and continue to speak to.
“Bruno Guimaraes has been a done deal for Arsenal since the weekend. The key part of the agreement – the £80 million package has already been agreed. There is nothing left to negotiate or to be discussed.”
The reputed journalist added that the Magpies were furious about ESPN leaking the verbal transfer agreement and have delayed the timing of the announcement as a result. The Tyneside outfit originally wanted a replacement in place for Guimaraes before confirming his exit.
He added: “What I heard earlier today is that, because of our report on ESPN, Newcastle were furious that news of the agreement had leaked.
“They decided to drag things out a little. Not over the money, because that part is completely settled. It is much more about the timing of the announcement.”
“The original plan was to do everything together. Arsenal would announce Bruno Guimarães, and Newcastle would immediately follow by announcing his replacement. There simply was not enough time to make that happen.”
Arsenal have earmarked Guimaraes as their priority midfield target for the transfer window. Personal terms have already been agreed with the 28-year-old, who has expressed his wish to leave the Magpies for the Gunners this summer.
The Premier League holders have been negotiating payment terms with Newcastle’s hierarchy behind the scenes. It appears the Magpies prefer to find a replacement first before confirming the big-money departure of their talismanic captain.
Guimaraes has travelled to Spain to link up with the Magpies at the La Manga training base, but it could be to say farewell to his teammates. There could also be a farewell interview for the Brazilian ace, given how he has conducted himself.
Alexander Isak went on strike to push through a move to Liverpool last summer, which did not go well with the Newcastle faithful. Guimaraes, on the other hand, wants to part ways amicably, and it could be a matter of time before he departs.
Guimaraes, described as ‘very special‘ by former Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, could be permitted to travel to London for an Arsenal medical in the coming days. The Gunners have already decided to sell Christian Norgaard to Everton to make room for him.