Ben Jacobs says it is clear Bruno Guimarães wants to join Arsenal and negotiations between the clubs are expected to officially begin soon.
In an interview with Give Me Sport, Jacobs explained that although Guimarães is unlikely to push through with a move like Alexander Isak did when approached by Liverpool last summer, it is true that he still wants to leave Newcastle.
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The Brazil international has made that clear to the club and Arsenal now appear willing to step up negotiations, although there still appears to be a significant gap between the two sides in terms of the player’s valuation.
According to Jacobs in the video below, Arsenal are willing to pay around £65m for Guimarães, while Newcastle would ask for around £80m-90m to let him go…
Jacobs said: “Arsenal will begin formal negotiations with Newcastle regarding the signing of Bruno Guimarães.”
He added: “Arsenal have made it clear they are willing to pay up to £65m. Newcastle’s valuation would be between £80m and £90m if they change their not-for-sale stance.”
Bruno Guimarães to Arsenal transfer fit assessment
Guimarães looks like a great fit for Arsenal. The 28-year-old has proven his quality in the Premier League and gives Mikel Arteta a bit of difference and depth in the middle of the park.
See below how we scored Guimarães on the Transfer Fit rating system (click here for more details). The former Lyon player scored 16/25 points.
| Bruno Guimarães | Total score: 16/25 |
| Transfer fee | * |
| performance | **** |
| performance | **** |
| career phase | ** |
| The need for squads | ***** |
This is a very reasonable score, in the upper half of the mid-table, but given the player’s age and high transfer fee, it’s not a completely risk-free deal.
Guimarães is sure to strengthen Arsenal in a key position for the next couple of years, but he could quickly fade after that.
The AFC would do well to consider him if they have a young option, but the market won’t be easy with arguably lesser players like Matheus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali leaving for astronomical sums this summer.
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