Bruno Guimaraes is undergoing a medical at Arsenal after the two clubs agreed a £75m fee, according to Sky Sports, The Guardian, and The Athletic, with the deal reported on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. The 27-year-old Brazilian, who turns 29 in November, told Newcastle bosses earlier this summer that he wanted to join Arsenal if a suitable offer arrived, setting off weeks of increasingly firm negotiations.
The agreed fee reflects a compromise between the clubs. Newcastle valued Guimaraes at around £80m, while Arsenal were initially willing to pay up to £60m. A formal bid of around £70m was rejected as recently as Monday, per The Guardian, before both sides landed on £75m. Guimaraes was given permission to travel to north London for the medical after attending Newcastle’s pre-season camp in La Manga, Spain, as instructed.
The deal itself
Guimaraes signed a five-year contract at Newcastle in October 2023, which included a release clause of £100m that expired in June 2024, per The Athletic’s David Ornstein. He has two years remaining on that deal, plus a club-held option for a third year, according to Sky Sports. With those protections gone, Arsenal were able to negotiate toward a number below Newcastle’s original valuation.
Lyon will receive approximately £7m through a 20% sell-on clause on any profit Newcastle make, per The Guardian. Newcastle paid around £40m including add-ons when they signed Guimaraes from Lyon in January 2022, and the profit element of this sale will trigger that obligation. Sky Sports reported that Newcastle will have made more than £240m from player sales this summer if the deal completes, following earlier exits for Anthony Gordon (Barcelona, £69.3m) and Sandro Tonali (Tottenham, £100m).
Why the move happened
Guimaraes made clear his preference to join Arsenal, and the timing aligned with upheaval at Newcastle. Eddie Howe stepped down as manager last week, with Matthias Jaissle set to replace him. That managerial change, combined with the player’s stated desire to leave and the club’s broader summer of sales, created conditions for a deal to get done.
Arsenal accelerated their pursuit after Guimaraes produced a strong World Cup for Brazil, starting all five of Brazil’s games at the 2026 tournament and providing four assists, per The Athletic. On the Arsenal side, the club sanctioned the sale of Christian Norgaard to Everton for £7m in anticipation of completing this signing, according to The Guardian, freeing up both squad space and budget.
Player profile: what Arsenal are getting
Guimaraes has made 153 Premier League appearances, scoring between 30 and 31 goals and adding 26 assists in the league, per The Athletic and The Guardian. He made 195 appearances for Newcastle in all competitions, per Sky Sports, and was part of the squad that won the Carabao Cup in 2025, the club’s first major trophy in decades. His ball-winning ability, range of passing, and goal threat from midfield have made him one of the most complete central midfielders in the division.
Mikel Arteta gave some indication of the need Arsenal identified, telling BBC Sport: “We need to increase the competition internally. We need to make sure we identify the things that we don’t have in the team.” Sky Sports News reporter Chris Reidy put it plainly: “Arsenal’s spine will now be ridiculous.”
What it means for both clubs
Arsenal land Guimaraes at 28, a proven Premier League midfielder in what should be his peak years, adding depth and quality to a squad that has been pushing for a title. His World Cup form made him one of the more coveted midfielders available this summer, and securing him below Newcastle’s initial valuation is a meaningful result for the club’s recruitment team.
For Newcastle, this is another major financial exit in a single window. Losing Guimaraes, Gordon, and Tonali in one summer represents a substantial change to the squad that won silverware in 2025. Incoming manager Jaissle will inherit a side with considerable funds and a clear rebuild ahead of him.
FAQ
How much are Arsenal paying for Bruno Guimaraes?
Arsenal and Newcastle United have agreed a fee of £75m for Guimaraes, per Sky Sports, The Guardian, and The Athletic, reported on August 5, 2026.
How old is Bruno Guimaraes?
Guimaraes is 27 years old and turns 29 in November 2026. He is a Brazilian international central midfielder.
How many goals did Guimaraes score for Newcastle?
Guimaraes scored between 30 and 31 goals and contributed 26 assists across 153 Premier League appearances for Newcastle, according to The Athletic and The Guardian.