Newcastle’s Stance on Guimaraes
Newcastle United have reportedly rejected a verbal offer from Arsenal for midfielder Bruno Guimaraes. The proposal, communicated through intermediaries, was valued at less than £60million. Newcastle has maintained that they are unwilling to entertain offers for the 28-year-old Brazilian international, who is currently with his national team preparing for a World Cup last-32 match against Japan in North America.
Guimaraes joined Newcastle from Lyon in January 2022 and has since become a crucial player for manager Eddie Howe’s squad. He has made over 150 appearances for the Tyneside club in the Premier League, scoring 30 times. He is also considered an important figure for Carlo Ancelotti’s Brazil national team.
Reports suggest that Arsenal has held initial discussions with Guimaraes’ representatives to understand his situation at St James’ Park, especially after Newcastle did not qualify for European competitions. The Gunners are believed to have made an informal proposal of around £55million. However, it is understood that there has been no direct contact with Newcastle, and an official offer has not yet been submitted.
Through Guimaraes’ team, Newcastle has made it clear that the Brazilian is not for sale this summer. Despite this, some reports indicate that Newcastle might be preparing for a potential departure by considering replacements, such as Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha. Arsenal is also reportedly looking to strengthen their midfield, with initial talks held with Guimaraes’ representatives, alongside considering other options like Alex Scott and Ayyoub Bouaddi.
Midfield Partner Sandro Tonali Also Subject of Interest
The situation with Guimaraes comes as Newcastle faces challenges in retaining other key players. The club has already sold winger Anthony Gordon to Barcelona this summer in a deal reportedly worth £69.3m ($93.2m), which included a sell-on clause. Additionally, Guimaraes’ midfield partner, Sandro Tonali, is also attracting significant interest from other clubs.
According to reports, Tonali is a target for Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City this summer. Tottenham is reportedly looking to sign Tonali for around £85m and is said to have had a second bid rejected. The potential loss of both Guimaraes and Tonali in the same transfer window would present a considerable challenge for Newcastle.
Losing Guimaraes, particularly after the departures of Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak over the past 10 months, and with Tonali potentially following, would be difficult for Eddie Howe to manage. Guimaraes is regarded as Newcastle’s captain and talisman, possessing a strong emotional connection with the supporters. His absence would significantly impact the team’s creative and offensive capabilities, as evidenced by statistics from matches where he has not featured.
Newcastle’s insistence that Guimaraes is not for sale highlights his importance to the team. The club has no intention of allowing the Brazil international to leave, especially given that no first-XI signings have arrived this summer. Losing such a vital player, even for a substantial fee, would leave Howe with a comparatively inexperienced and untested squad for the upcoming 2026-27 season.
The club’s position is that Guimaraes is invaluable to the team. His departure, especially if coupled with Tonali’s exit, would send a negative message to both supporters and current and prospective players, compounding what has already been a challenging off-season for the club.
Source: nytimes.com