Bruno Guimaraes has joined his Newcastle United teammates at their pre-season training camp in Spain, even as Arsenal continue their pursuit of the Magpies captain. The Gunners have had an opening bid of around £70 million rejected, but negotiations remain active, with Newcastle valuing their skipper at £80 million.
Transfer saga continues
The gap between the two clubs' valuations is relatively small, and a deal appears increasingly likely, especially given that the Brazil international has reportedly expressed a clear desire to move to the Premier League champions. Arsenal's interest in Guimaraes is part of a broader strategy to strengthen their squad after winning the title.
Unlike his former teammate Alexander Isak, who went on strike last summer to force a move to Liverpool, Guimaraes has chosen a more professional approach. He posted a picture from Newcastle's La Manga training base on Sunday night, having joined the squad after a post-World Cup break.
Newcastle's stance
Newcastle are reluctant to lose another star player this summer, having already sold Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali to Barcelona and Tottenham respectively. Those deals brought in over £160 million before add-ons, easing financial pressure on the club. However, with Guimaraes reportedly keen on joining Arsenal, the Magpies are unlikely to keep him against his will if their valuation is met.
New manager Matthias Jaissle, who replaced Eddie Howe, will want clarity on his squad as soon as possible. Arsenal, meanwhile, are investing heavily, with a new midfielder and left winger as priority targets.
Doubts raised
Former West Ham and Chelsea striker Carlton Cole has questioned the logic of the move, asking where Guimaraes would fit in Mikel Arteta's midfield. Speaking on TalkSPORT, Cole said: 'I'm not buying that you win the league and then you go and bolster up and then you automatically go and win the league again, it doesn't work like that. I get that you have to always build and rest on the previous season, but when you look at it, where's he going to play? Who's he going to play in front of? [Martin] Odegaard? He's not going to get in front of Declan [Rice]. I can't see it. I don't know he would do it. But he's going to go there, he's going to play, so who's he going to be replacing?'
Martin Zubimendi, who arrived from Real Sociedad in 2025, played 57 games last season but fell down the pecking order late in the campaign, being benched for the Champions League final. Arteta preferred Myles Lewis-Skelly alongside Rice and Odegaard. The competition for places is intense, with Eberechi Eze and Mikel Merino also vying for starting spots, while Christian Norgaard is expected to leave for Everton in a £7 million deal.
