Arsenal’s opening bid for Bruno Guimaraes rejected as Newcastle hold out for £80m amid captain’s exit push

Newcastle United have rejected an opening offer from Arsenal for Bruno Guimaraes.

Arsenal‘s opening offer for the Newcastle captain has been turned down, after thePremier League champions started formal club-to-club talks.

Guimaraes has informed Newcastle of his wish to move to Arsenal this summer, though the Magpies are reluctant to lose the 28-year-old, following the departures of Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali, and head coach Eddie Howe.

The Brazil international is in Spain to report back to pre-season with Newcastle, who are set to appoint Al-Ahli’s Matthias Jaissle as their new manager.

Jaissle is set to inherit the Newcastle job at a time of upheaval, and a resolution to Guimaraes’ future will be the first major event in his in-tray.

Guimaraes has two years to run on his contract at St James’ Park, though Newcastle have a option to extend for a further season. As a result, Newcastle are under no pressure to sell and value the midfielder at around £80m.

According toSky Sports, Arsenal are now discussing internally whether to improve their unspecified opening bid.

Guimaraes has been a central figure for Newcastle since his arrival from Lyon in January 2022. He has made 195 appearances across all competitions and captained the club to League Cup success in 2025, the club’s first major domestic trophy in 70 years.

The midfielder was named as Newcastle’s Player of the Season in 2025/26, before recording four assists for Brazil at the 2026 World Cup.