Arsenal are nearing a total agreement with Newcastle United to sign Bruno Guimaraes, according to David Ornstein, with the midfielder now waiting for permission to undergo a medical.
It would be a significant midfield move for Arsenal, who have already signed Piero Hincapie, Illan Meslier and Christos Tzolis this summer. As we covered in our tactical analysis of why Guimaraes to Arsenal makes sense, he would give Mikel Arteta another midfielder who is secure in possession, strong in duels and comfortable taking responsibility at the base of midfield.
How does Bruno Guimaraes compare to Declan Rice?
The numbers show why Arsenal are interested. Guimaraes has produced 0.33 goals, 0.18 assists and 1.65 chances created per 90 for Newcastle United, while Declan Rice has posted 0.12 goals, 0.15 assists and 1.83 chances created per 90 for Arsenal.
Rice remains the cleaner territorial midfielder, completing 87.27% of his passes and playing 8.51 passes into the final third per 90. Guimaraes is only just behind on both, with an 86.12% pass accuracy and 7.92 final-third passes per 90.
The bigger contrast is in personality. Guimaraes wins more duels per 90, 6.16 to Rice’s 4.21, and draws far more fouls, 2.75 to 0.32. Rice is the safer patrolman; Guimaraes is the traffic jam. Arsenal could use a bit of that, frankly.
What would Bruno Guimaraes add to Arsenal?
Guimaraes would not simply be a Rice alternative, even if Rice is the cleaner stylistic comparison. Rice is not the one likely to make way in Arsenal’s strongest XI. The more natural route is Guimaraes replacing Martin Zubimendi at the base of midfield, with Rice either stepping higher or giving Arteta a more assertive double-pivot option when Arsenal need greater control.
His numbers show that blend. Guimaraes has scored nine league goals from 4.38 xG, added five assists from 3.54 xA and won possession 135 times across 2,455 minutes. That is not just a sitter in front of the centre-backs. It is a midfielder who can arrive, bite, recycle and irritate opponents into bad decisions.
The fit is obvious because Arsenal already dominate territory. What they sometimes lack is a midfielder who can receive under contact, win the foul, slow the match down, then restart it with spite. Guimaraes does that for Newcastle. In Arteta’s structure, with better spacing around him, he could look even sharper.
Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal odds
At the time of writing, major bookmakers are not widely offering a next-club price on Guimaraes to Arsenal. That fits the latest reporting. When a transfer is on course for completion and only final permissions are outstanding, there is little value in leaving a short odds-on price exposed.
If the deal slows or another club enters the race, that may change. For now, the absence of a live price fits the mood around the move: Arsenal are close, Guimaraes is waiting for the green light and Newcastle are moving towards a sale.
Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal FAQ
Arsenal are nearing a total agreement with Newcastle, according to David Ornstein, with the move now on course for completion.
Recent reporting has put the proposed fee in the £77m to £85m range, although the final package has not been officially confirmed.
Guimaraes remains Newcastle captain and is under contract, but he is now waiting for permission to undergo a medical with Arsenal.
What happens next?
Ornstein’s update moves this beyond exploratory talks: the deal is now on course for completion, with a medical the next major step if Newcastle give permission. For Arsenal, it would be a sensible piece of squad-building and a clear upgrade in midfield depth.
Sources used: David Ornstein/The Athletic.