Arsenal close to completing deal for Newcastle captain Guimaraes

Arsenal are set to complete their long-running pursuit of Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes. The Premier League champions had been expected to sign the Brazil international after a breakthrough in talks, as BBC Sport reported on 30 July. With a full agreement now close to being finalised, Guimaraes is awaiting permission to leave Newcastle's training base in La Manga, Spain, to conclude the formalities of his move to the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners are preparing for the midfielder's medical, which is scheduled to take place this week. Although no transfer fee has been officially confirmed, sources indicate that the deal could be worth up to £80m. Guimaraes, who joined Newcastle from Lyon in 2022, has made clear his desire to join Arsenal. The 28-year-old has emerged as Mikel Arteta's preferred central midfield target as the club looks to strengthen its squad.

The two clubs have spent the week discussing the finer terms of the deal, and a final agreement is now seen as a formality. The move marks the culmination of a transfer saga that has stretched across the summer, with the player expected to become Arsenal's major signing in this window.