Arsenal’s pursuit of Bruno Guimarães continues unabated.
Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta had identified the Newcastle captain as a priority midfield target, with the Gunners subsequently making an opening offer worth around £55m through an intermediary, which was rejected.
Since then, reports have suggested Guimarães has told Newcastle he wants to move, Arsenal have spoken with representatives to determine the terms of the deal, and Newcastle have responded by valuing one of their most influential players at close to £100m.
Despite the huge gap between the clubs, Arsenal continue to explore all possible routes to continue negotiations.
The latest update suggests that the process is still going on behind the scenes.
Insider shares the latest on Bruno Guimarães and Arsenal after phone call with Newcastle
According to Arsenal insider HandOfArsenal, there have been no meaningful negotiations between the clubs beyond the initial phone call from Newcastle, who have only asked for clarification on Arsenal’s position, with no progress made.
Instead, Berta is reportedly continuing to lobby through intermediary Kia Joorabssian as Arsenal try to inch closer to a valuation acceptable to both clubs.
This represents a slightly different situation than some speculation surrounding the transfer.
Rather than formal negotiations progressing rapidly, the focus appears to be on establishing whether the fiscal gap can realistically be closed before serious discussions begin.
Newcastle are now believed to be targeting a minimum transfer fee of between £80m and £85m, which is lower than the previously reported valuation of £100m, but still significantly higher than Arsenal’s original offer.
However, the player’s attitude continues to encourage Arsenal.
HandOfArsenal claim Guimarães is fully committed to Arteta’s project and is happy to allow his agent to handle the controversy professionally rather than attempt to force an exit.
Football Fancast Verdict | |
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reliability | HandOfArsenal is an Arsenal-focused insider account, not mainstream journalists. It is regarded as one of the most reliable sources of information among Gunners supporters, reporting accurately on club developments before they are widely reported. Therefore, this update should be treated as an informed insider report with real weight. |
finances | A deal worth around £100m, or between £80m and £85m, would make Guimarães one of the biggest signings in Arsenal’s history. Arsenal will need to improve these terms as he currently earns around £160,000 a week at Newcastle. It’s also worth noting that although his current contract expires in 2028, the Magpies are protected by a 12-month extension clause. |
insight | Guimarães rose to prominence at Atlético Paranaense before impressing at Lyon, becoming the leader of Newcastle’s midfield. The Brazilian international and Olympic gold medalist has developed into one of Europe’s best all-round midfielders, captaining Newcastle and leading them to their first major title since the 1950s in 2025. |
impact | Guimarães could add a new dimension to Arsenal’s midfield and be the perfect complement to Rice, Odegaard and Zvimendi. After scoring nine goals in the Premier League last season while anchoring Newcastle’s midfield, he proved he can influence games at both ends of the pitch. |
This approach echoes previous reports suggesting the Brazil international wants to move but has no intention of causing unnecessary tension with his current club.
“My understanding is that there have been no negotiations between the clubs, other than a call from Newcastle to Arsenal asking about their position. Nothing was clarified between the parties,” a source wrote to X.
“Belta would like Kia to handle all negotiations until a fair valuation is reached between both parties.
“Newcastle are aiming to secure a fee in the range of at least £80m to £85m.
“Bruno is fully supportive of this project and is waiting for his agent and Kia to respectfully address this situation.”
From Arsenal’s point of view, patience may be their most valuable asset.
Berta has a reputation for waiting until the right terms are in place rather than rushing into big-money deals, especially when negotiations involve Premier League rivals.
With Newcastle determined to keep one of their biggest stars, Arsenal appear content to keep communication open while assessing whether the asking price softens as room for negotiations increases.
There are also footballing reasons why the Gunners have remained so persistent.
Why Bruno Guimarães is perfect for Arsenal
Guimarães has a quality that is hard to find elsewhere.
His ability to dictate possession, aggressively recover the ball and lead by example will make him another elite option alongside Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard.
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The 28-year-old has experience at the highest level and years of experience to come.
It remains unclear whether Arsenal will ultimately meet Newcastle’s demands.
For now, the latest information suggests that the move remains at the relationship-building stage rather than being on the negotiating table.
However, the player is reportedly confident in Arteta’s vision, with Arsenal still working behind the scenes and one of the Premier League’s biggest stories this summer is far from over.
