From Brazil: Arsenal’s Bruno Guimarães deal “done” – Newcastle United delay announcement

Arsenal’s move for Bruno Guimarães may have appeared to hit another obstacle after reports in England claimed Newcastle United had rejected an offer. But fresh claims from Brazil paint a very different picture.

According to ESPN Brazil journalist Bruno Andrade, who has consistently reported on the negotiations throughout the saga, there is no disagreement over the transfer fee itself.

Instead, he claims Newcastle are simply delaying the final announcement after news of the agreement emerged before the club had secured a replacement.

Andrade went as far as insisting the transfer has effectively been completed since the weekend.

“Bruno Guimarães is done”

Speaking on local ESPN, Andrade doubled down on information he first reported over the weekend.

“I know a lot of people are going down different paths and reporting different information,” he said. “I’m not an official source and I don’t own the story, but I trust the people I’ve spoken to and continue to speak to.”

He then made his position crystal clear. “Bruno Guimarães has been a done deal for Arsenal since the weekend”, he stated.

According to Andrade, the clubs have already agreed the financial framework of the transfer.

He says Arsenal will pay a package worth €92.8m (£80m). That’s made up of €81.2m (£70m) guaranteed plus €11.6m (£10m) in performance-related bonuses.

“The key part of the agreement – the £80 million package – has already been agreed,” he said. “There is nothing left to negotiate. Nothing else needs to be discussed.”

Newcastle delaying timing, not the transfer

The Brazilian journalist believes recent reports suggesting Newcastle had rejected Arsenal’s latest offer have created the wrong impression. According to Andrade, the issue is no longer the money.

Instead, he claims Newcastle were unhappy that details of the agreement leaked before they were ready.

“What I heard earlier today is that, because of our report on ESPN, Newcastle were furious that news of the agreement had leaked,” Andrade explained.

“They decided to drag things out a little. Not over the money, because that part is completely settled. It’s much more about the timing of the announcement.”

He added that Newcastle wanted to announce Bruno Guimarães’ departure alongside the arrival of his replacement. However, the timetable became impossible once details of the deal emerged publicly.

“The original plan was to do everything together,” Andrade said. “Arsenal would announce Bruno Guimarães, and Newcastle would immediately follow by announcing his replacement.”

“There simply wasn’t enough time to make that happen”, he revealed.

That explanation also fits with Andrade’s previous reporting that Newcastle United are already negotiating with midfield targets, including João Palhinha, as they prepare for Bruno Guimarães’ departure.

Final details remain

According to Andrade, Bruno Guimarães has already left Brazil after remaining there over the weekend while waiting for confirmation over the transfer.

The only detail Andrade says he has yet to confirm is the exact length of Bruno Guimarães’ Arsenal contract, although he expects it to be a long-term agreement, potentially five years, given the size of the investment.

For now, his stance has not changed: “Bruno Guimarães is done. Completely done. He is Arsenal’s new signing.”