Arsenal are set to test Newcastle United's resolve with an offer for Bruno Guimaraes after exploratory talks over the Brazil midfielder, sources have confirmed. The Gunners have also looked into approaches for his club team-mate Sandro Tonali as they attempt to bolster their midfield this summer.
During discussions aimed at checking the financial conditions of a deal for Guimaraes, a fee of around £60m was initially intimated with the 28-year-old's representatives. Arsenal are now poised to make a fresh offer, but Newcastle have not yet had an official approach — and the club are adamant their captain is not for sale.
“Arsenal poised to bid for Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes after exploratory talks, sources confirm.”
Guimaraes has been Newcastle's talisman since his £35m arrival from Lyon in January 2022, when he boldly declared: 'We're going to be a big power in world football.' At the time Newcastle were 19th in the Premier League; they went on to qualify for the Champions League twice in three seasons and end a 70-year trophy drought by lifting the EFL Cup in 2025.
But the project has reached a crossroads. Alexander Isak joined Liverpool last summer, Anthony Gordon moved to Barcelona in May, and Tottenham have tested the waters with an £80m bid for Tonali. Arsenal now sense an opportunity to prise away Newcastle's most prized jewel.
'He's the most important player in the team,' former team-mate Emil Krafth said. 'He manages the game so well, both physically and technically. There's a lot of rumours surrounding him, which is not surprising because he's had a good World Cup and a great season.'
Guimaraes, who turns 29 in November and has two years left on his contract, went top of the World Cup assists leaderboard by teeing up Gabriel Martinelli's late winner against Japan — his fourth assist in four games. Even staff at Newcastle openly describe him as 'inspirational'. Howe's side failed to win any of the 12 league fixtures he missed between August 2022 and February 2026.
Newcastle have already turned down Tottenham's bid for Tonali, who is effectively contracted until 2030 after signing a new deal during his betting ban. Manchester City are also monitoring developments, and Newcastle could command a fee closer to £100m for the Italian if a bidding war ensues — a market boosted by Manchester City's £116m deal for Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson.
Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is renowned for working on numerous deals simultaneously. The Gunners have also expressed firm interest in Bournemouth's Alex Scott and Lille's Ayyoub Bouaddi, while West Ham's Mateus Fernandes — a key target for Tottenham — has been assessed internally. With discussions still ongoing, the central question remains: can Newcastle hang on to their captain?