PL Behemoths Close in on High-Profile Transfer

It confirmed something that had been whispered for weeks. Sandro Tonali had already gone to Tottenham for £100m. Anthony Gordon departed for Barcelona at £69.3m. Guimarães, watching those deals materialise from the dressing room, reportedly felt his own moment had arrived.

He racked up nine goals and five assists in 29 Premier League appearances last term, averaging a 7.52 FotMob rating across 2,455 minutes. Now, he wants out.

Arsenal’s chase has been the headline act. Fabrizio Romano confirmed that the Gunners submitted an opening offer of £55m. It was rejected without hesitation by the Newcastle heirarchy.

Mikel Arteta’s side then signalled a willingness to go to £65m, which Newcastle batted away just as firmly. Arteta has pushed the deal hard internally. The manager sees Guimarães as the exact kind of box-to-box authority his midfield needs to anchor things next season.

The valuation gap and European interest

Newcastle are quoting £90m minimum according to Ben Jacobs at GiveMeSport, with some reports, including from TEAMtalk, citing a valuation as high as £100m. That is a chasm. Arsenal are not currently prepared to bridge it.

Real Madrid have also entered the conversation. Reports from TEAMtalk indicate that new Bernabéu boss José Mourinho has approved interest in Guimarães as a replacement for Eduardo Camavinga, who looks set to depart Madrid this summer.

The Spanish giants have been mentioned at around €70m, though that still falls short of what is needed to get the hierarchy at St James’ Park to negotiate. Planet Football also flagged PSG as historical admirers, but their midfield depth makes that a much colder trail right now.

The club’s public position hasn’t shifted, not for sale. Eddie Howe does not want a repeat of the Alexander Isak situation, where a player’s public agitation forced Newcastle’s hand into a £130m deal with Liverpool last summer.

Sky Sports confirmed Newcastle have made absolutely no comment on Guimarães’ situation. For now, they are buying time. Crucially, Guimarães has two years remaining on his contract, with an option for a third running to summer 2029. There is no contractual panic. Newcastle can hold firm, and they know it.

We still feel that Guimarães will leave Newcastle before September 1. The player’s desire is clear; the precedent set by Tonali and Gordon is damaging to Newcastle’s resistance.

Arsenal will eventually find a figure that bridges the gap, probably somewhere around £80m. Real Madrid’s interest adds just enough pressure to nudge things along. He won’t need to agitate publicly. The deal will get done quietly, and Arteta will get his man.