Arsenal agree personal terms with Bruno Guimaraes in £76m blow to Liverpool

Arsenal have agreed personal terms with Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes on a five-year deal worth around £76m, according to French newspaper L’Equipe, dealing a significant blow to Liverpool’s hopes of signing the Brazilian midfielder this summer.

Guimaraes, 28, has reportedly agreed to join Arsenal on a contract running until 2031. The north Londoners had a £55m offer rejected by Newcastle in June, but that setback appears not to have deterred Mikel Arteta’s side, who have since pressed ahead and secured the player’s agreement on personal terms.

The remaining obstacle is convincing Newcastle to sanction a sale. The Magpies are reluctant to lose their captain, particularly after midfield partner Sandro Tonali departed for Tottenham earlier in the window. A fee in the region of £76m has been cited as the figure that could unlock a deal.

Complicating the finances further, Lyon — who sold Guimaraes to Newcastle in January 2022 — retain a 20 per cent sell-on clause. At £76m, that would generate a windfall of approximately £15m for the French club, reducing Newcastle’s net return on the sale.

Liverpool had been among the clubs linked with Guimaraes as Andoni Iraola looks to strengthen his midfield options. With pre-season now underway and the squad beginning to assemble ahead of a trip to the United States, the Reds may need to act quickly or pivot to alternative targets if Arsenal complete the move.

Meanwhile, Curtis Jones appears to have dismissed speculation linking him with a move away from Anfield. The 25-year-old homegrown midfielder responded on social media to a report suggesting he was set to join Nottingham Forest, indicating he has no intention of leaving the club this summer. Jones had been identified as one player whose departure could help fund a late bid for Guimaraes, should Liverpool still wish to pursue the Newcastle man.