Premier League champions Arsenal have reached an agreement worth £75 million, approximately $99.5 million, to sign Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes, according to British media reports published on Wednesday. The deal followed an opening bid from Arsenal that Newcastle rejected earlier in the week. The London club then returned with an improved proposal, and Sky Sports reported that the two sides had agreed terms for the transfer. Reuters said it had contacted both Arsenal and Newcastle for confirmation, meaning the clubs had not formally announced the move at the time of the report.
Guimaraes had previously informed Newcastle that he wanted to join Arsenal if an acceptable offer arrived, according to reports. Newcastle were reluctant to lose their captain, especially because the 28-year-old Brazil midfielder still had two years remaining on his contract at St James' Park, with an option for an additional season. His possible departure would therefore represent a major change for Newcastle, where he developed into one of the team's most important and influential players after arriving from French club Olympique Lyonnais in January 2022. Since joining Newcastle, Guimaraes has made 195 appearances across all competitions and scored 31 goals.
He also played a central leadership role in the club's return to domestic success, captaining Newcastle to League Cup glory in 2025 and helping end the team's long wait for a major trophy. The reported agreement would bring one of Newcastle's leading performers to an Arsenal side already competing from a position of strength.
At Arsenal, Guimaraes would add experience and proven Premier League quality to Mikel Arteta's midfield as the club prepares to defend its league title and pursue further success in Europe at elite level. Guimaraes has been a regular presence for Brazil in recent years and featured at the 2026 World Cup, giving Arsenal another player with international and high-pressure experience.
His leadership credentials are also significant, as he wore the captain's armband at Newcastle and helped shape the team's most successful period in years. For Newcastle, however, the transfer would deepen a difficult period of change. The club had already lost key players Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali, while manager Eddie Howe had also departed. Losing Guimaraes after those exits would remove another established figure and create a further rebuilding challenge.
The reported £75 million fee highlights the midfielder's value and the scale of Arsenal's investment, while also showing Newcastle's willingness to accept a substantial offer despite wanting to keep him. Final confirmation remained pending when the report was published, as Reuters awaited responses from both clubs. Until official announcements are issued, the transfer remains based on British media reporting.
However, the agreement suggests negotiations have advanced beyond Arsenal's rejected first offer and moved close to completion. Should the deal be finalized, Guimaraes would leave Newcastle after four and a half years as a transformative signing, trophy-winning captain and defining midfielder. Arsenal would gain a seasoned Brazilian international capable of strengthening a side targeting another domestic title and a deeper European campaign.