Bryan Robson backs Man United to hijack Arsenal's £75m Bruno Guimaraes pursuit

Manchester United have been publicly encouraged to outmanoeuvre Arsenal in the race for Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, with club legend Bryan Robson arguing the Brazil international is the perfect long-term successor to Casemiro at Old Trafford.

Guimaraes, 28, has been at the centre of intense transfer speculation in recent weeks, with Arsenal widely considered the frontrunners after an initial offer was reportedly rejected by Newcastle. The Magpies are understood to value the midfielder at around £75 million, and Guimaraes himself is said to have expressed a desire to leave St James’ Park this summer. United were separately reported in March to have been advancing in talks over a £69 million deal.

“Bruno Guimaraes would be the right player for Manchester United to replace Casemiro,” Robson told Hajper. “I’ve always liked him as a captain. He’s got a great attitude. He must be a good lad to have around the place. He’s carried himself really well at Newcastle.”

Robson drew a direct tactical parallel between Guimaraes and the departing Casemiro, pointing to the Brazilian’s ability to combine defensive intelligence with forward passing — qualities he sees as a natural fit alongside Bruno Fernandes in United’s midfield.

“The way Bruno Fernandes gets on the ball, Bruno Guimaraes can do the work that Casemiro has done at United because he’s such an intelligent player,” Robson said. “He’s a midfield player who can do a little bit of both, in attacking and in defence, and he’s got a very good engine.”

However, Robson tempered his enthusiasm with a note of scepticism over the feasibility of a summer deal. “The only question mark is whether he’d be available now this summer. I’d be very surprised if Newcastle sold him in the same summer as Sandro Tonali leaving the club. I’m not sure they’d allow it.”

Guimaraes is contracted at Newcastle until 2028, giving the club significant leverage in any negotiations. United, meanwhile, have already agreed a deal to sign Andrey Santos from Chelsea as part of their midfield rebuild, while a separate move for Atalanta’s Ederson remains unresolved.