Newcastle have already lost midfielder Sandro Tonali to Tottenham and it looks like another star player could be leaving St James’ Park before the end of the summer.
Bruno Guimarães wants to join Arsenal (Image: Getty Images)
Arsenal have been given serious encouragement to make a move for Bruno Guimarães after he requested to leave Newcastle. The Brazilian midfielder has emerged as one of the Gunners’ main targets this summer, with one bid already rejected by their Premier League rivals.
However, it looks like Newcastle’s hand could be forced. Guimarães, 28, has told Newcastle bosses he wants to leave St James’ Park this summer and is keen to join Arsenal.
According to The Athletic, the north London side will now step up their pursuit of the former Lyon player and offer a £60m package for his contribution. There are no negotiations between the clubs at this time, but Newcastle have indicated their intention to retain him.
Guimarães joined Newcastle from Lyon in 2022 for £40 million and made 195 appearances for the club, scoring 30 goals. He was key to ending the club’s trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup and also helped the club qualify for the Champions League.
Guimarães has two years left on his contract with Newcastle. Earlier this year, he was linked with a move to Manchester United, with reports claiming that the Red Devils had agreed terms with him.
However, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has moved to quash these rumors. At the time, he said: “I don’t even know how to react to that. I don’t even think I should because it’s a waste of energy.”
“I don’t mean to be rude, because I don’t think this is the place for that. It’s nonsense for me. Bruno is our captain and he’s working hard. He’s currently injured and his only focus is to get back to fitness. For me, it’s not the time to think about it.”
Bruno Guimarães could follow Sandro Tonali out of Newcastle’s exit (Image: Getty Images)
“With the transfer window open in the summer, things like that will make more sense. To say that our captain is in negotiations with other clubs is, above all, a complete disrespect to Bruno. He is fully committed here.”
If Guimarães leaves, he would be the latest high-profile player to leave the club in the past year. Alexander Isak joined Liverpool last summer, while Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon were sold to Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona respectively. Kieran Trippier was also allowed to leave, joining Championship side Wolverhampton Wanderers when his contract expired.
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