Newcastle: Bruno Guimaraes wanted to join Arsenal, says sporting director Ross Wilson
Newcastle United sporting director Ross Wilson confirmed that midfielder Bruno Guimaraes is set to join Arsenal for £75 million after expressing a desire to leave the club. This move follows the departure of several other key players from Newcastle over the past year.
Why it matters
The transfer highlights the ongoing roster turnover at Newcastle United and the competitive dynamics of the Premier League transfer market.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Bruno Guimaraes joined Newcastle United from Lyon in 2022
Newcastle United reporter Published 7 August 2026, 13:00 BST Newcastle United sporting director Ross Wilson says the club did not plan to sell Bruno Guimaraes, but their "very emotional" captain wanted to join Arsenal .
The Premier League champions are set to complete a £75m move for the midfielder following a breakthrough in talks this week.
Although Wilson said it was "disappointing" to see Guimaraes go, he stressed the 28-year-old did not want to "play here anymore".
"What we had to weigh up was, very respectfully from Bruno with his behaviour towards us, very emotionally as well, he effectively told us he wanted to leave and move on," he said.
"That doesn't mean he can go, but it certainly plays a part in what our thinking is when we hit a certain range of number.
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