Bruno Guimaraes had been expected to join Newcastle United’s preseason camp in La Manga on Sunday after receiving an extended break following Brazil’s World Cup campaign.
That reunion with his teammates and new head coach Matthias Jaissle may never happen, however, with the midfielder now trying to avoid the trip to Spain altogether as his proposed transfer to Arsenal moves toward completion.
TEAMtalk reported on Saturday night that Guimaraes and his representatives want him to fly directly to London
for a medical rather than report back to Newcastle.
“Bruno Guimaraes is hoping that he will not have to fly out to Spain on Sunday to link up with Newcastle United, with the Brazil international increasingly confident his move to Arsenal will be finalised before then,” TEAMtalk’s Graeme Bailey reported.
The report adds that Arsenal and Newcastle are now negotiating directly over a package worth more than £80 million, with the 28-year-old already agreeing a five-year contract.
“The transfer is now at such an advanced stage that those close to Guimaraes believe it would make far more sense for the midfielder to fly to London for his medical rather than travel to Newcastle’s pre-season base in La Manga,” Bailey reported.
Newcastle still expects its captain to report on Sunday unless the transfer is completed first, but his representatives are pushing for the remaining details to be resolved beforehand.
The Times has also reported Arsenal agreed an £80 million package consisting of £70 million guaranteed and £10 million in add-ons, with Guimaraes scheduled to undergo a medical on Monday.
Guimaraes appears increasingly likely to avoid an awkward first meeting with Jaissle and his Newcastle teammates, with his next flight expected to take him to London rather than Spain.
Meanwhile, per Romano, Newcastle is already working with new manager Jaissle in finding a new midfielder to properly replace Bruno Guimaraes.
