Newcastle United’s long-running Bruno Guimaraes saga appears to have entered a new phase after weeks of speculation and indirect negotiations surrounding the club captain’s future.
The Magpies had repeatedly grown frustrated by the lack of direct contact from Arsenal despite the midfielder making clear he wanted to explore a move to the Premier League champions.
According to the Daily Mail’s Simon Jones and Lewis Browning, Arsenal is now preparing to submit its first official offer for Guimaraes, worth
£70 million.
The report follows earlier claims that all discussions had come through the Brazilian’s representatives rather than club-to-club negotiations, prompting Newcastle to challenge Arsenal to formalize its interest.
“Arsenal are ready to make a £70million offer for Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes,” Jones and Browning reported. “The Brazil international has told Newcastle he wishes to speak to the Premier League champions if they can agree a fee.”
What hasn’t changed is Newcastle’s stance on the potential Bruno sale, with the Daily Mail once again reporting the Magpies “have maintained he is not for sale” and “would need a greater sum to convince them to sell.”
Jones and Browning also report Arsenal “have effectively been told ‘to put up or shut up'” after Newcastle grew increasingly frustrated by what it viewed as a “tactical process” carried out through agents instead of official bids.
Brazilian outlet RTI Esporte also reported on Arsenal’s first offer, confirming the Gunners have submitted a formal proposal, in this case slightly higher and worth €85 million (£72.5 million), consisting of €80 million guaranteed plus €5 million in add-ons.
The improved bid follows an earlier proposal from Arsenal of around £64 million that fell short of Newcastle’s valuation, while personal terms with Guimaraes have already been agreed, per Fabrizio Romano.
Whether Arsenal’s opening offer differs in both reports from £70 million to £72.5 million, both outlets agree the transfer has progressed beyond exploratory discussions into formal negotiations.
The key question now is whether Arsenal is willing to meet Newcastle’s asking price, with the Magpies still expected to demand significantly more before sanctioning the sale of their captain, and Bruno’s own stance on it and whether or not he hands a transfer request to the Magpies brass.
