Newcastle sporting director confirms Bruno Guimaraes wanted Arsenal move

By Charlie Bradshaw — 7 August 2026 — 3 min read

Newcastle United sporting director Ross Wilson has confirmed that midfielder Bruno Guimaraes expressed a desire to join Arsenal. The Premier League champions are reportedly close to finalising a £75m transfer for the player following recent discussions.

Wilson stated that while it was disappointing to see Guimaraes depart, the player, described as the club’s “very emotional” captain, no longer wished to remain at Newcastle. Guimaraes reportedly informed the club of his wish to leave and move on, which influenced the club’s decision-making process once a certain financial offer was met.

The sporting director clarified that selling Guimaraes was not part of Newcastle’s initial strategy for the summer. However, he acknowledged the need for flexibility to react to unforeseen circumstances in the transfer market. Guimaraes bid an emotional farewell to his teammates and staff at the club’s pre-season training camp in Spain before his departure.

Guimaraes’ Departure and Financial Considerations

Guimaraes’ move to Arsenal will mark him as the fourth key player to leave Newcastle in less than a year. Earlier in the transfer window, Sandro Tonali joined Tottenham Hotspur, and Anthony Gordon moved to Barcelona. Last summer, Alexander Isak transferred to Liverpool.

The loss of Guimaraes is considered a significant blow due to his status as a talismanic figure for the club. Newcastle chief executive David Hopkinson indicated that Arsenal had initially hoped to secure the player for a lower fee, with smaller sums reportedly discussed for the midfielder, who will turn 29 in November. Conversely, Hopkinson noted that Newcastle would have preferred an even higher figure for such an influential player.

Hopkinson described the negotiation process as involving “very sophisticated actors on each side.” He concluded that the final fee satisfied Newcastle, and from a merchandising perspective, it represents the highest fee for a player in that position and age. He believes it is a good deal for Newcastle, while Arsenal acquires a “very special player and person,” suggesting the financial arrangement worked for both clubs.

Arsenal’s Summer Signings and Future Plans

Guimaraes is expected to become Arsenal’s fourth signing of the current summer transfer window. The club has already secured Greek winger Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge for £34m and goalkeeper Illan Meslier on a free transfer after his departure from Leeds. Guimaraes is reported to have agreed a four-year contract with Arsenal, set to run until the summer of 2030, and has reportedly held discussions with manager Mikel Arteta.

Arteta declined to comment on the transfer saga when questioned after a 3-1 friendly defeat to Real Betis in Dublin, stating he would only discuss players who are officially part of the Arsenal squad. Defender Riccardo Calafiori, speaking after the match, expressed the club’s need for players of Guimaraes’ calibre to build on their previous season’s success, aiming to win the league again and improve further.

Meanwhile, Newcastle is actively seeking a replacement for Guimaraes. While four of their five summer signings have been aged 20 or under, the club is looking to recruit a midfielder with more experience. They also plan to make further additions before the transfer window closes on 1 September. Wilson cautioned against making hasty decisions, stressing the importance of not making “mistakes by jumping to do something that we don’t really want to do to tick a box.”

The final formalities for Bruno Guimaraes’ switch are reportedly all that remain.

Source: bbc.co.uk