Arsenal have seen their opening bid for Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes immediately rejected, with the two clubs now in direct talks over the Brazil international.
Guimaraes was due to arrive in La Manga on Monday, where Newcastle are holding their pre-season training camp but never showed up with further intensifies exit rumour. The midfielder is expected to hold talks with incoming Magpies head coach Matthias Jaissle.
Speculation has intensified in recent days over an £80 million agreement, but it appears the clubs are not yet at that stage. Reports had even suggested Guimaraes was scheduled to undergo a medical with Arsenal.
However, the 28-year-old left Brazil on Sunday on a commercial flight to reunite with his Newcastle teammates.
Guimaraes still has two years remaining on his contract, with the club also holding the option to extend it by a further year, leaving Newcastle under no pressure to sell.
Newcastle have already banked £100 million from Sandro Tonali’s move to Tottenham this summer and around £75 million from Anthony Gordon’s transfer to Barcelona. Despite the player’s reported interest in joining Arsenal, Newcastle are determined to secure a premium fee.
Arsenal’s opening valuation of Guimaraes is believed to have been around £70 million, but Newcastle are reportedly demanding more than £80 million.
Further bids from Arsenal are expected after their first offer fell short, with the Gunners currently the only club actively pursuing the midfielder.
Speaking about Arsenal’s transfer ambitions, Mikel Arteta admitted the club are working hard to strengthen the squad before the transfer window closes.
> “A lot is happening. We all know about the context of this transfer window.
> “From ownership to the board, the sporting director and myself, we know that we want to take this club to a different level. That is going to require a better squad, better individuals.
> “We have identified where we have opportunities to grow, improve and evolve our game and what is going to be needed to achieve that. Hopefully, very soon we can start to put things in a very concrete way.”