Exclusive: Bruno Guimarães gives Arsenal the go-ahead to explore a transfer
Arsenal have permission to keep exploring a deal for Bruno Guimarães after the Newcastle midfielder signalled he was open to talks through intermediaries, FootballTransfers can exclusively reveal. That’s a meaningful step, but it doesn’t mean Newcastle are ready to sell: the club rejected an initial offer and, according to the reports cited here, isn’t currently entertaining bids.
Bruno Guimaraes has allowed Arsenal to continue discussions with Newcastle United via intermediaries. The Athletic reported that Arsenal had made a verbal offer below €69.5 million (£60 million), which Newcastle turned down. FootballTransfers understands Guimarães’ approval came before that approach.
Here’s the thing: Arsenal’s usual process is to speak with a player before contacting his club about a possible transfer. So the offer suggests the north London side has moved beyond casual interest, even though the gap between a player’s willingness to talk and a club’s willingness to negotiate remains substantial.
Why Guimarães is attracting attention
Guimarães joined Newcastle from Lyon in 2022 and has since scored 31 goals in 195 appearances, establishing himself among the Premier League’s leading central midfielders. He also played a major part in Newcastle’s 2025 Carabao Cup final win over Liverpool at Wembley, ending the club’s 70-year wait for a domestic trophy.
He turns 29 in November and has two years remaining on his St. James’ Park contract. The Daily Mail reported that Arsenal are considering a second offer, while Guimarães is currently at the World Cup with Brazil. The Mail also says Newcastle aren’t entertaining offers at present. Those details leave the central question unanswered: what price, if any, could change the club’s position?
Guimarães posted nine goals and seven assists in 41 appearances across all tournaments in 2025/26. His full statistics offer a useful snapshot of his output.
Tonali and Scott also feature in Arsenal’s midfield picture
BBC Sport says Guimarães’ age may influence how much Arsenal are prepared to pay, and reports that Mikel Arteta’s side also admire Newcastle teammate Sandro Tonali. FootballTransfers reported in February that Tonali, who turned 26 last month, has been a long-standing Arsenal target. BBC Sport reported last week that Tottenham Hotspur had a bid of about €92 million (£80 million) rejected; Manchester City are also pursuing him. Tonali recorded three goals and six assists in 53 appearances in all competitions in 2025/26. See his full statistics.
Arsenal’s interest in midfielders extends to Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, but FootballTransfers understands the club isn’t currently inclined to bid for him. The Athletic reported earlier in June that Scott had joined Arsenal’s shortlist and that Bournemouth value the 22-year-old at around €92 million (£80 million).
Scott helped Bournemouth finish sixth in 2025/26 and qualify for next season’s Europa League, strengthening his standing as one of the league’s notable midfielders. He made 41? Wait, the supplied fragment gives no Scott appearance or goal totals, so the case here rests on his role in Bournemouth’s season and the reported valuation.
Alex Scott’s 2025/26 record across all tournaments stands at 39 games, four goals and one assist. But those numbers don’t signal an imminent Arsenal move: FootballTransfers says the club isn’t preparing a bid. Bournemouth, meanwhile, are keen to keep him this summer, according to The Athletic. For now, the reported interest has yet to become a concrete offer.
View all of Alex Scott’s stats.
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Read more about: Premier League, Arsenal, B'mouth, Man City, Man Utd, Newcastle, Tottenham, Alex Scott, Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali.