Arsenal are set to make a £70m offer for Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes, a move that would test the Magpies’ resolve to keep their talisman. The Brazil international, 28, is a priority target for the Premier League champions and is keen to join the north London club, according to sources. Newcastle are aware of his preference and talks have accelerated in recent days, though the Gunners’ bid may fall short of the £80m valuation placed on the midfielder.
Eddie Howe, Newcastle’s head coach, has admitted he does not know what will happen. “I don’t know what’s going to happen with Bruno’s future,” he said after a 1-1 pre-season friendly draw with Gateshead. “That’s for other people to speculate about. They are conversations that I’m not part of.” Howe revealed he had “really good conversations” with Guimaraes before, during and after the World Cup, but added: “What we speak about has to remain private.”
“Howe admits uncertainty over Guimaraes as Arsenal prepare £70m bid for Newcastle captain.”
The uncertainty comes after Newcastle already sold Sandro Tonali to Tottenham and Anthony Gordon to Barcelona this summer, banking around £170m. The departures have left the squad weakened, though the club have brought in midfielder Aladji Bamba from Monaco for £34m and signed Sean Steur from Ajax. Guimaraes, who has been on holiday with his family following Brazil’s World Cup exit, is due back at Newcastle on 31 July. Howe insisted “there’s nothing to say Bruno won’t be back training with us”, but his guarded tone suggested the captain’s future remains in the balance.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are also pursuing Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa as a defensive target, and have explored moves for Julian Alvarez and Bradley Barcola. But Guimaraes is their priority – and with the player pushing for a move, Newcastle face a difficult decision: sell their captain or risk losing him for less in future.