Arsenal have signed Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimarães from Newcastle United in a deal worth £75 million.
Bruno Guimarães has officially signed for Arsenal, joining on a four-year deal with an option for a further year in a deal worth £75 million.
The 28-year-old heads to the Emirates after four and a half years on Tyneside, a period in which he grew into Newcastle’s captain and established himself as one of the Premier League’s standout central midfielder.
Guimarães arrives to bolster Arsenal’s midfield as they look to retain the Premier League title, a point made by Sporting Director, Andrea Berta, as part of the announcement: “Bruno will allow Mikel to further develop our playing style and will also increase our internal competitiveness, which is essential for maintaining the standards required when we are aiming to win major trophies.”
The transfer arrives during a summer of extraordinary upheaval at St James’ Park. Anthony Gordon has joined Barcelona, Sandro Tonali has moved to Tottenham whilst Eddie Howe has stepped down after almost five years as head coach.
Guimarães had been one of the defining players of Howe’s Newcastle rebuild. His departure removes another major figure from the side that returned to the Champions League and ended the club’s long wait for a domestic trophy, leaving the Magpies preparing for a new season having lost their manager, captain and two of their other leading players.
Guimarães first arrived at Newcastle from Lyon in January 2022 for a reported £35 million, stepping into a side battling relegation in the early days after the club’s takeover.
He wasted little time becoming central to Newcastle’s climb up the table.
In his first full season, Newcastle secured Champions League football, and by 2025, Guimarães captained the side to their first major domestic trophy in 70 years, lifting the Carabao Cup after a memorable win over Liverpool at Wembley.
His final campaign at St James’ Park was disrupted by injury, but he still earned individual recognition.
Guimarães was named Newcastle’s Player of the Year for 2025/26, finishing with nine Premier League goals and a club-high eight assists. He matched the best goal-involvement tally of his career, despite missing 15 matches.
The Brazilian departs Newcastle with 30 goals and 25 assists from 153 Premier League appearances. But his influence stretched beyond the numbers, often dictating play from deep, taking the ball under pressure and setting the tempo for Newcastle’s attacks.
For Arteta, it means a proven Premier League player joins the squad, rather than a player needing time to adapt to the demands of English football.
“Bruno is a player with a great mentality and great quality, who will bring strong leadership to our squad” said Berta.
“With Bruno joining us, we are further strengthening the heart of our team. As we have all seen, Bruno can play as a defensive midfielder and as a box-to-box player. He combines quality with quantity, and has provided goals and assists for his team every year.
The signing is a statement of intent from Arsenal, as they look to retain their title, with Berta making it clear the Gunners value the midfielder very highly.
Arteta has previously made it clear that strengthening the champions would mean bringing in better players and a deeper squad. Guimarães, fresh from winning Newcastle’s player-of-the-year award, arrives ready to compete for a place in Arsenal’s strongest line-up.
Arsenal have paid a premium to prise the captain and standout performer from a Newcastle. Guimarães now joins a side aiming to defend their title and go one better after last season’s Champions League final heartbreak.
