In a high-profile transfer deal that shook up the Premier League on Saturday, defending champion Arsenal announced it has finalized the acquisition of star Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle United, for a reported transfer fee of £75 million (equivalent to $101 million). The 28-year-old has put pen to paper on a long-term contract with the north London side, officially completing his move to the Emirates Stadium.
Speaking after the announcement, Guimarães expressed unbridled excitement about his new chapter, noting he is at a stage in his career where he is hungry for a new challenge. “I want to win trophies, I want to make history and I think I’m in the right place to do it,” the midfielder said, adding that he enters the move at his physical peak, with ambitions to cement his legacy at the club. “It’s massive what I have done so far, but I want more. I want to win for Arsenal. Someday, when I leave, I want players to come here and say I want to do exactly what Bruno did for the club.”
The transfer comes even as Newcastle resisted efforts to offload their club captain. Guimarães had made clear to the Magpies that he intended to pursue a move, forcing the hand of the northeast club. Since joining Newcastle from France’s Ligue 1 side Lyon in January 2022, Guimarães quickly emerged as the team’s talismanic figure and one of the most impactful central midfielders across the entire Premier League. During his tenure at St James’ Park, he led the club to its first major domestic silverware in 70 years — the 2025 English League Cup — and was instrumental in helping the side qualify for the UEFA Champions League on two separate occasions.
In an emotional statement posted to Newcastle’s official website, Guimarães called the choice to leave one of the hardest decisions of his career. “When I arrived, the club was in a challenging position and I am incredibly proud of what we achieved together. I fell in love with this place. I really mean that,” he said. “This move is very tough because Newcastle means so much to me, but I wanted to experience something new in my life. I feel ready for a new challenge for myself and my family. I had a very positive conversation with Matthias Jaissle, and I leave knowing the club is in very good hands.”
Guimarães’ exit marks the third high-profile departure for Newcastle this transfer window, following fellow star players Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali out of the club. The regime change at the top also preceded the transfer: long-serving head coach Eddie Howe stepped down at the end of last month after nearly five years in charge, and was replaced by former RB Salzburg manager Matthias Jaissle.
Now, Guimarães will join an already formidable Arsenal midfield anchored by England international Declan Rice, as Mikel Arteta’s side look to defend their Premier League title and chase further domestic and European honors. On the international stage, the Brazilian brings a wealth of experience, having earned 48 caps for the Brazil national team including appearances at the most recent FIFA World Cup, and won a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Ahead of his first appearance for the Gunners, Guimarães confirmed he will continue his longstanding tradition of wearing the number 39 shirt, a tribute to his father. The number holds deep personal meaning: it is the dispatch number for his father’s taxi in Rio de Janeiro, where his father worked for more than 20 years to support the family. “The taxi, of course, gave me everything for my family, the place we live, the food, my clothes, everything,” Guimarães explained. “When I got the chance to sign to a top club in Brazil, I asked my father which number I should take and he said 39. I was upset a little bit because I wanted to take the 97. He said: ‘No, no, take the 39. The 39 gave you everything.’ I even have a tattoo of the number 39 to honor this legacy,” he added.