L’Equipe claims Arsenal have increased their offer to €90 million, with only the final details left to resolve before a deal can be completed.
Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Bruno Guimaraes, with L’Equipe reporting that the Premier League champions have reached an agreement in principle with Newcastle United after increasing their offer to €90 million, around £77 million, excluding bonuses.
According to the French publication, the transfer has entered its final stages after Arsenal raised their bid following the rejection of earlier offers worth €70 million and €80 million.
While some details, including bonuses and agent fees, still need to be finalised, the deal is now reported to be close to completion.
The report adds that Guimaraes agreed personal terms on a contract running until 2031 several weeks ago, with the midfielder having made clear his desire to move to north London.
Newcastle have already taken steps to prepare for his departure by signing Aladji Bamba from Monaco, while the departure of manager Eddie Howe, who enjoyed a close relationship with Guimaraes, is also reported to have played a significant role in opening the door to a transfer.
Speaking before his departure was confirmed, Howe reportedly said, “what will be, will be”, before admitting he had “lost control of transfers”.
Luke Edwards, the Telegraph‘s Newcastle correspondent, also suggested the midfielder’s departure had become inevitable. Edwards wrote: “Howe believed Bruno Guimaraes will be sold this summer.. the final straw”.
If the remaining details are agreed in the coming days, Arsenal will secure one of their leading midfield targets as Mikel Arteta continues to strengthen the squad following last season’s Premier League title triumph.
The move would also result in Lyon, Guimaraes’ former club, receiving more than €8 million through a sell-on clause, according to L’Equipe.
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