Newcastle United have turned down Arsenal's initial proposal for midfielder Bruno Guimarês, leaving the Premier League champions to re‑open negotiations with the Magpies. The 28‑year‑old Portuguese international, who captains Newcastle, is currently in Spain for the club's pre‑season camp at La Manga, and he confirmed his presence on the training ground via an Instagram story posted on Tuesday evening. Guimarês told the Newcastle hierarchy last month that he wishes to move to Arsenal when the summer window opens.
Despite his desire to leave, the Toon's management are keen to retain their captain, who still has two years remaining on his contract with a club‑option for a third season. As a result, the initial bid was deemed insufficient and rejected outright, prompting Arsenal to consider whether to improve their offer. The Portuguese midfielder arrived in Spain after a brief stop in Brazil on Sunday. Media outlets had reported that he would join the squad at La Manga, and he indeed arrived in agreement with the club, linking up with his teammates for the first day of pre‑season training.
While at the camp, Guimarês posted a photo on his Instagram story showing him with the group, confirming his participation in the team's preparations. Guimarês joined Newcastle from Lyon in the summer of 2022 for a reported fee of around £40 million.
Since then he has made 195 appearances for the club, scoring 31 goals and establishing himself as a versatile midfield engine capable of operating as a deep‑lying playmaker, a box‑to‑box runner, or an advanced attacker. His performances have drawn the attention of several top clubs, with Arsenal emerging as the most vocal suitor.
The interest from the Gunners intensified after Newcastle's long‑time manager Eddie Howe departed the club. Howe, who left by mutual consent amid speculation surrounding Guimarês' future, was praised by the midfielder in a heartfelt Instagram tribute. Guimarês posted a picture of Howe with the caption: "King of this club!! Thanks for everything you've done for us.
I loved enjoying our time together. Thanks for making me a better player and person!
No words I can say will really say how much I enjoyed being our player. Wish you all the very best in your future, gaffer." Football analyst Julian Laurens, speaking on Sky Sports News, explained the dynamics of the negotiation. He noted that Newcastle will try to extract the maximum possible fee, while Arsenal have shown a willingness to pay only what they consider the player's true market value. Laurens highlighted that Arsenal have already demonstrated restraint in this transfer window, refusing to overpay for targets such as Guimarês, Morgan Rogers and Amad Diallo.
"It's an interesting chess game between Newcastle and Arsenal," Laurens said. "The first bid was always going to be rejected; now the clubs can discuss terms more thoroughly. Newcastle know how much Guimarês wants to leave, and they also understand their own financial constraints.
Eddie Howe's departure was partly influenced by the expectation that Guimarês would eventually be sold to Arsenal." Laurens also warned against repeating the mishandled sale of Alexander Isak last summer, which left all parties dissatisfied. He predicted that a deal could be concluded within the next few weeks, providing Arsenal with a player who can fill multiple midfield roles – a No 6, No 8 or No 10 – and who thrives under pressure. From an Arsenal perspective, manager Mikel Arteta values Guimarês for his composure on the ball and his ability to dictate tempo against teams that press aggressively. Arteta envisions the Portuguese playing just in front of the back four, flanked by Martin Ødegaard and Declan Rice, allowing him to control the game's rhythm and link defense with attack.
Should the clubs reach an agreement, Guimarês would join a midfield that already boasts world‑class talent, further strengthening Arsenal's chances of challenging for the Premier League title and performing well in European competitions. For Newcastle, the sale would provide a substantial influx of funds, potentially enabling reinvestment in new signings to replace their departing captain.
In summary, the initial Arsenal bid for Bruno Guimarês has been turned down, but negotiations remain ongoing. Both clubs are aware of the player's ambitions, the financial realities, and the strategic importance of the transfer. Fans can expect further updates as the two sides continue to discuss terms, with the possibility of a deal materialising in the coming weeks.