Bruno Guimaraes Set for Arsenal Medical After Clubs Agree £80m Transfer Fee

August 03, 2026

Bruno Guimaraes footballer — Bruno Guimarães | Credit: Clubhouse TV, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

It looks like Arsenal have finally landed one of the biggest midfield targets of this summer's transfer window. The Gunners have agreed an £80 million deal with Newcastle United for Brazilian star Bruno Guimarães, with the 27-year-old set to travel to north London for a medical as early as Monday.

The deal, which has been the subject of intense negotiations for several weeks, crossed the line after Arsenal raised their offer to meet Newcastle's asking price. Reports confirm the structure involves an initial £70 million upfront, with an additional £10 million in performance-related bonuses. Guimarães is understood to have agreed personal terms that include a five-year contract at the Emirates.

The Brazilian joined Newcastle from Lyon back in January 2022 and quickly became one of the most important players in the Premier League. His ability to press relentlessly, dictate tempo, and arrive late into the box made him a fans' favourite at St. James' Park and caught the attention of clubs across Europe.

Sources close to the deal say it was Guimarães himself who drove the move forward. At 27, he wants to test himself in the Champions League on a consistent basis, something that Newcastle, despite their rapid rise, have not yet been able to guarantee. Arsenal, who won the Premier League title last season and are building a squad to challenge in Europe, offered him exactly that.

Manager Mikel Arteta has reportedly been a long-time admirer of the player and sees him as the perfect partner in the centre of midfield. His arrival would give Arsenal genuine world-class depth in a position that can make or break a title-winning campaign.

For Newcastle, the fee represents outstanding business. They paid around £33 million to bring him from Lyon just over four years ago. The challenge now falls on Eddie Howe and the club's hierarchy to find a replacement capable of filling a significant void. In a market where elite central midfielders rarely come cheap, that task will not be simple.

A formal announcement from Arsenal is expected early next week once all paperwork clears. For the Gunners, it would represent the kind of statement signing that signals serious intent heading into the new season.