Arsenal’s pursuit of Bruno Guimarães appears to be moving firmly in the right direction, with the latest developments at Newcastle United providing perhaps the clearest indication yet that the Brazilian could be on his way to north London.
Talks surrounding a deal have progressed throughout July, with Arsenal exploring the conditions required to sign the Newcastle captain. Sky Sports previously reported that Guimarães had informed Newcastle of his desire to join Arsenal, while discussions over the structure and finances of a potential transfer have taken place through intermediaries.
Newcastle have publicly maintained that they do not want to sell the 28-year-old, but their position looks increasingly difficult to maintain. Guimarães has two years remaining on his contract, plus an option for another season, and Arsenal have been testing whether Newcastle’s resistance can finally be broken.
The most significant development may have arrived on Thursday morning, with The Telegraph reporting that Eddie Howe has decided to leave Newcastle.
According to Luke Edwards, Howe had become increasingly frustrated by the loss of key players and the direction of the squad. Crucially from an Arsenal perspective, Howe is said to believe that Newcastle will eventually sell Guimarães to Arsenal this summer. The prospect of losing his captain, following several other major departures, was reportedly a significant factor behind Howe’s decision to walk away.
That does not mean a deal is completed, but it is difficult to ignore what the news suggests. Howe was one of the people at Newcastle most determined to retain Guimarães, and if the outgoing manager himself expected the midfielder to be sold, Arsenal may now be approaching the final stages of a transfer they have been working towards for several weeks.
The Gunners have admired Guimarães for years, but the opportunity has become far more realistic this summer. There has been uncertainty around the eventual fee. Newcastle have resisted suggestions that Guimarães could leave cheaply, despite Arsenal initially receiving encouragement over the financial conditions of a deal. Whatever the final figure, the direction of travel now looks increasingly clear.
The Gunners were initially linked with a £60million move, but the price-point now looks like it will be closer to £80million, perhaps £75million + £5million.
For Arsenal, Guimarães would add another proven Premier League midfielder capable of playing as a six or eight, bringing aggression, technical quality and experience to a midfield already containing Declan Rice, Myles Lewis-Skelly and Martin Zubimendi.
There is still work to do, but Howe’s departure feels significant – coupled with the recent reports of Arsenal upping their bid. If Newcastle’s manager was already planning for a future without Guimarães, Arsenal may finally be closing in on one of their longest-standing transfer targets.