Bruno Guimaraes has completed his Arsenal medical ahead of a £75million move from Newcastle United.
The Brazilian bid farewell to his Toon teammates at the club’s pre-season camp on Wednesday before flying to North London. A lengthy transfer saga is set to end - with Guimaraes on the brink of joining the Gunners.
He will be the fourth high-profile exit on Tyneside this summer - and fifth in 12 months. Alexander Isak, Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon and Eddie Howe have all left Newcastle in recent times.
Guimaraes made it crystal clear to former manager Eddie Howe during several conversations that he wishes to leave the club. Toon insiders insist that the 28-year-old adhered to everything required - including visiting the La Manga training base - to facilitate an amicable transfer.
Whether supporters will treat Guimaraes favourably remains to be seen. As club captain, the midfielder enjoyed fervent support on Tyneside for leading the club to Carabao Cup success.
Guimaraes is set to learn first-hand if his Newcastle legacy remains intact on November 21 - when Arsenal visit St James’ Park. By this point, the Toon boo boys would have already been out in force for Isak and Tonali.
As for an official announcement, that is expected either today or tomorrow. The Gunners are completing all formalities of the deal and hope to have him in contention for their pre-season clash with Borussia Dortmund on Sunday.