Arsenal's £75m bid could unlock Bruno Guimaraes deal as Newcastle express astonishment at Berta silence

Arsenal are closing in on a clearer picture of what it will take to sign Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United, with a £75 million bid reported to be the figure that could force progress on a deal for the Brazilian midfielder.

Guimaraes, 28, has reportedly informed Newcastle of his desire to join Arsenal, yet sporting director Andrea Berta has not yet made direct contact with the Magpies — a situation that has reportedly caused astonishment within the St James’ Park hierarchy.

The Daily Mail reports that an initial Arsenal bid of £55 million was rejected by Newcastle, with the Gunners previously believed to be willing to go as high as £60 million. The new £75 million figure represents a significant upward revision and, according to reports, could be enough to open substantive negotiations.

Guimaraes is contracted to Newcastle until the summer of 2028, giving the club considerable leverage in any talks. Whether Newcastle would sanction a third high-profile departure in a single window remains a significant obstacle. Anthony Gordon has already left for Barcelona in a £69 million deal, while Sandro Tonali completed a £100 million move to Tottenham Hotspur earlier this week.

The midfielder featured for Brazil at the World Cup in North America this summer, helping the Seleção reach the last 16 before being eliminated by Norway.

Arsenal are looking to strengthen their midfield following their Premier League title triumph, with Guimaraes identified as a primary target. A formal bid is described as likely to materialise, though the timing and Newcastle’s willingness to engage remain uncertain as the transfer window progresses.