Bruno Guimaraes hands in transfer request to force Arsenal move

Newcastle United are facing another major exit after Bruno Guimaraes formally informed the club of his desire to join Arsenal this summer, according to insider. The Brazil international’s decision comes after Arsenal’s verbal offer at the end of June was immediately rejected. That approach, though unsuccessful, clearly turned the midfielder’s head. Sources close to the player said last week that a request to leave was a realistic possibility, and that has now materialised. Newcastle have already lost Anthony Gordon to Barcelona and Sandro Tonali to Tottenham in this window, raising frustration within the squad. Guimaraes, 28, is known to be unhappy with the club’s lack of progress and the failure to keep previous promises, including a state-of-the-art training ground that remains years away from completion. Arsenal are prepared to pay around €70 million for the midfielder, but formal negotiations between the clubs have not yet started. Newcastle have insisted they do not want to sell, especially after banking over €180m from the sales of Gordon and Tonali. However, Guimaraes’ transfer request could force the Magpies to reconsider. The player’s camp believes this is his last chance to join a truly elite club, with Newcastle unable to match Arsenal’s level despite the Saudi-backed investment. The sale of Alexander Isak last year, followed by Tonali and Gordon this summer, has left Guimaraes questioning the direction of the project. Ornstein reports that Arsenal are now stepping up their pursuit, and with the player’s stance clear, Newcastle may have another Isak-style situation on their hands – the last thing they needed.