Arsenal sign Bruno Guimaraes for £75m as Newcastle player sales exceed £240m
Arsenal have completed the signing of midfielder Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle in a transfer valued at £75m. The 28-year-old has agreed to a four-year contract with an additional one-year option. This move follows an initial bid from Arsenal that was rejected before the clubs reached an agreement.
Guimaraes, who will wear the number 39 shirt for the Gunners, expressed his excitement about the new opportunity. He stated that he felt an inner need for a new challenge and believes becoming an Arsenal player will provide an exciting experience in his life. He also promised to give his best and be a warrior for the club, hoping to create many positive memories together.
Andrea Berta, Arsenal‘s sporting director, welcomed Guimaraes, highlighting his strong mentality and quality. Berta noted that Guimaraes will bring leadership to the squad and strengthen the core of the team. He also mentioned Guimaraes’ versatility, capable of playing as both a defensive midfielder and a box-to-box player, contributing goals and assists consistently.
Berta added that Guimaraes’ arrival will allow manager Mikel Arteta to further develop the team’s playing style and increase internal competitiveness, which is crucial for maintaining high standards in pursuit of major trophies.
Newcastle’s significant player sales
Guimaraes’ departure means Newcastle have now sold over £240m worth of talent this summer. The club had initially been keen to retain the Brazil international, who had two years remaining on his contract, plus a club-held option for a third year. However, Guimaraes informed Newcastle earlier in the summer that he wished to join Arsenal if a suitable offer was made.
Other notable sales from Newcastle include Anthony Gordon, who moved to Barcelona in a £69.3m deal, and Sandro Tonali, who was signed by Spurs for £100m. These significant transfers have occurred during a turbulent period for the club, which also saw head coach Eddie Howe depart.
A statement from Newcastle indicated that the agreed fee for Guimaraes ranks among the top-10 highest transfer fees ever received for a player aged 28 or over. It also represents a record fee for a player of his specific age and position combined.
Guimaraes reflects on Newcastle departure
Guimaraes described his decision to leave Newcastle as one of the toughest of his life. He expressed immense pride in what he and the club achieved together since his arrival when the club was in a challenging position. He spoke of his affection for St James’ Park, stating that he fell in love with the place and felt at home from his first day, thanks to the supporters, teammates, Eddie Howe, staff, and everyone connected with the club.
He extended his gratitude to PIF, chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan, and Jamie Reuben for their contributions to him and the club. Guimaraes also thanked David Hopkinson and Ross Wilson for their respect throughout the transfer process, acknowledging their efforts to keep him at Newcastle. He had a positive conversation with Matthias Jaissle and believes the club is in capable hands.
Despite the difficulty of the move due to his strong connection with Newcastle, Guimaraes stated his desire to experience something new and felt ready for a fresh challenge for himself and his family. He made 195 appearances for the Magpies, scoring 31 goals, and was part of the team that won the Carabao Cup after joining from Lyon in 2022 for £40m.
Newcastle were reportedly keen to keep Guimaraes and would have rejected offers if he had expressed a desire to stay. However, he was insistent on leaving, believing it was his last significant opportunity to win titles. The deal proceeded only after Guimaraes conveyed his wish to leave and Newcastle‘s valuation was met, similar to the transfers of Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon.
Newcastle maintained that their valuation was non-negotiable and would only sell Guimaraes for a fee that would be among the highest for a player aged 28 or over. The club also required the situation to be handled appropriately, with Guimaraes attending Newcastle‘s training camp in Spain on Monday. Newcastle felt Guimaraes complied impeccably with their demands, avoiding a repeat of the Alexander Isak situation from last summer. Agents were involved from the beginning, but Newcastle rejected initial offers in the range of £40m-£45m in June. The club expressed frustration that Arsenal reportedly prolonged the transfer by not contacting them for several weeks. Despite this, Newcastle insists that good relations remain between the player and the club.
Source: skysports.com
