Bruno Guimaraes’ future with Newcastle has unexpectedly become one of the biggest summer sagas and is definitely a sensitive issue within the walls of St. James’ Park.
The Magpies captain is still away at the World Cup, where Brazil advanced to the round of 16 with a win over Japan, but that hasn’t prevented Premier League champion Arsenal from circling the midfielder and getting in touch with his representatives about a potential move to London.
According to Chronicle Live’s Lee Ryder, Newcastle remain
braced for a formal offer from Arsenal and are starting to fear Bruno could change his mind and opt to leave instead of spending more time in SJP.
“Newcastle United remain braced for contact from Arsenal on their club captain Bruno Guimaraes – with the player’s every move in the United States being followed by his agent Alexis Malavolta,” Ryder wrote. “While Arsenal have not bid for Bruno yet, they have been told the terms of the deal and what it will probably take to snatch the ex-Lyon star from the Magpies.”
Per Ryder, Malavolta is part of the Bertolucci group, run by Giuliano Bertolucci, who has previously worked on Arsenal deals for Gabriel Magalhaes and David Luiz, hinting at what might be next for Bruno.
Chronicle Live reported that Malavolta has also been spotted with “super agent” Kia Joorabchian of Sports Invest UK, raising fears that a Newcastle exit could be developing behind the scenes.
Newcastle have maintained that Bruno is not for sale, no matter the fee offered, but Ryder made it very clear that there are legitimate growing fears the captain could leave this summer. That said, Arsenal have not made an official bid and had its first, verbal £45 million offer dismissed through intermediaries.
Arsenal, however, believe an offer of around £65-80 million could be enough to sign Bruno who, according to Ryder, has concerns about Newcastle’s project after this summer’s major exits (Anthony Gordon and soon Sandro Tonali), the club’s limited transfer activity (just one incoming player, a backup goalie) and last season’s fall from fifth to 12th along with the lack of European football.
