In a high-profile transfer move that shakes up the Premier League landscape, reigning English top-flight champions Arsenal have finalized the acquisition of Brazilian midfielder and Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes, both clubs confirmed in official statements released on Saturday. Reports peg the transfer value at £75 million, equal to roughly $101.2 million.
After four and a half seasons with the Magpies, the 28-year-old Brazil international has put pen to paper on a long-term deal with the Gunners, who ended a 20-year trophy drought to claim the Premier League title last season. Guimaraes marks Arsenal’s most high-profile incoming transfer of this summer transfer window, joining already completed signings goalkeeper Illan Meslier and winger Christos Tzolis at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta emphasized the transformative impact of Guimaraes’ arrival, noting that the addition further solidifies the club’s midfield core. “As we have all seen, Bruno can operate both as a holding midfielder and a dynamic box-to-box option. He blends technical quality with relentless work rate, and has contributed consistent goals and assists for his side every season across his career,” Berta explained. “Bruno will give Mikel [Arteta] greater flexibility to evolve our playing system, while also boosting healthy internal competition – a key factor if we want to maintain the high standards needed to compete for major honours.”
While the full transfer fee remains officially undisclosed by both clubs, Newcastle confirmed that the deal ranks among the top 10 highest transfer fees ever received for a player aged 28 or older. This is not the first time Arsenal have been linked to Guimaraes: the club was in the running to sign him back in January 2022, before he ultimately left French side Lyon to join Newcastle.
Across his tenure on Tyneside, Guimaraes made 195 appearances for Newcastle and found the back of the net 31 times. Playing under former manager Eddie Howe, he was a central figure in the club’s 2023 League Cup triumph, which ended a 54-year wait for a major silverware for the St James’ Park side.
Reflecting on his departure, Guimaraes called the choice to leave one of the hardest decisions of his career. “When I first arrived at the club, we were in a really difficult position, and I am incredibly proud of everything we built and achieved together,” he said in Newcastle’s official statement. “I fell in love with this place, and I truly mean that.”
Guimaraes’ departure comes just one week after Howe stepped down from his role as Newcastle manager, with the club already appointing German coach Matthias Jaissle as his replacement. The Brazilian, who represented his nation at the most recent FIFA World Cup, will now compete for a starting spot in Arsenal’s midfield alongside established names including Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, and Mikel Merino, as well as young prospect Myles Lewis-Skelly.
The new Premier League season is fast approaching, with Arsenal set to kick off their campaign against last season’s second-place side Manchester City in the FA Community Shield next Sunday. Five days after that showpiece, they will get their title defense underway against newly promoted Coventry City. Newcastle, meanwhile, will open their 2025-26 campaign at home to Liverpool at St James’ Park on August 23.