Newcastle United’s summer has already seen the club sell one of their best players in Anthony Gordon, and nobody would be surprised to see Sandro Tonali go, given Tottenham’s £100 million bid for the Italian.
Now, all eyes are on the future of Bruno Guimaraes, with Arsenal interest growing and Eddie Howe already facing a major squad rebuild.
According to The Sun’s Gary Stonehouse, Newcastle are planning to offer Guimaraes a club-record contract worth £40million to keep him at St James’ Park and counter
Arsenal’s £80 million bid and potential sky-high salary offer to the Brazil international.
“Newcastle are willing to offer Bruno Guimaraes a club-record £40million contract to keep him at St James’ Park,” the Sun reported. “Toon chiefs are adamant their captain, who is wanted by Prem champions Arsenal, is not for sale at any price.”
The report states that the Brazilian, already Newcastle’s highest earner on £160,000 per week, could be offered a four-year deal worth around £200,000 per week.
Guimaraes has two years remaining on his current deal, with an option for a third season, and is wanted by Arsenal, who have reportedly held talks with his representatives and are set to submit an £80 million offer to Newcastle.
The Sun reported that Arsenal’s initial £55 million move was rejected, while Newcastle have told intermediaries Bruno’s not for sale while stating publicly that they didn’t even receive said offer for their captain.
It’s believed that Guimaraes is not pushing for a move out of Newcastle, although the concerns of his possible exit are obvious, given the sales of Gordon (confirmed) and Tonali (coming) early in the summer transfer window.
All of that said, the report makes clear that talks for a new contract have not yet started, with Newcastle in waiting mode more than proactively trying to lock their man for the future.
