Newcastle United have effectively told Arsenal to back off from Bruno Guimaraes by making a firm decision on the player’s future at St James’ Park.
The Brazilian, who has been instrumental for the Magpies since signing from Lyon in January 2022, has quickly become a favourite with the fans. His standout performances have not gone unnoticed, drawing eyes from several top clubs during the summer transfer window.
Arsenal are thought to have been keen on a move for Guimaraes as they looked to strengthen their central midfield but the Brazilian’s price tag was considered too high. Any chance of a move to the Emirates Stadium now seems to have dwindled further following a report from the Daily Mail that manager Eddie Howe has appointed Guimaraes as the team’s captain for the upcoming season.
This strategic choice signals Newcastle’s staunch intent to keep their star asset, with the captaincy likely anchoring him at the club despite outside interest. It is understood that Guimaraes is committed to staying in the North East, much to the delight of their fan base.
Guimaraes himself squashed speculation about his departure over the weekend, confidently stating: “Yeah, I’m very happy to be here. These things [rumours about his future] I cannot control but I’m here, I’m very happy to be here, I love it and I hope to keep [being] here.”
Newcastle are expected to be in the mix for a top-four finish this season, with their absence from European competition potentially giving them an edge over their rivals.
