Arsenal revive six-year pursuit of Bruno Guimaraes with £45m bid already rejected by Newcastle

Arsenal have seen an intermediary offer of approximately £45m for Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes rejected, with the Magpies firmly insisting their midfielder is not for sale. The bid represents Mikel Arteta’s third attempt to sign the Brazilian since taking charge at the Emirates Stadium in late 2019.

Guimaraes, 28, is currently representing Brazil at the FIFA World Cup in North America and has emerged as a priority midfield target for Arsenal as Arteta looks to strengthen his squad ahead of the new season. Reports in Brazil have suggested the player holds a £60m release clause that can be triggered this summer following Newcastle’s failure to qualify for the Champions League, but sources at the club have flatly denied any such clause exists.

Arteta’s pursuit of Guimaraes stretches back to 2020, when Arsenal were monitoring the midfielder during his time at Athletico Paranaense. The Gunners delayed making a formal approach, allowing Lyon to move in January of that year and secure him for €20m. History repeated itself in early 2022, when Newcastle acted decisively during another World Cup year to complete a £40m signing before Arsenal could formalise their interest. Guimaraes’ agent Alexis Malavolta later confirmed the north London club had been in contact. “Newcastle arrived and they got serious. Bruno couldn’t wait another six months to decide his future in a World Cup year,” Malavolta said.

Since joining Newcastle, Guimaraes has scored 31 goals in 195 appearances and became the first Newcastle captain in 70 years to lift a major domestic trophy when Eddie Howe’s side won the Carabao Cup in 2025.

Arsenal have also been linked with Guimaraes’ Newcastle teammate Sandro Tonali, though the Brazilian is considered the more attainable option after Newcastle rejected an £80m offer from Tottenham Hotspur for the Italian. Alternative midfield targets include West Ham’s Matheus Fernandes, Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi, and Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, who is also attracting interest from Chelsea and Manchester United.

Any incoming signing is expected to prompt the departure of Denmark international Christian Norgaard and could also affect the regular starting role of Martin Zubimendi.