Newcastle United’s sporting director, Ross Wilson, announced that the club did not intend to sell Bruno Guimaraes, but their emotional captain expressed a desire to join Arsenal.
Following successful negotiations this week, the Premier League champions are poised to finalize a £75 million transfer for the midfielder.
While Wilson expressed disappointment over Guimaraes’ impending departure, he emphasized that the 28-year-old made it clear he no longer wished to remain at the club.
“We had to consider Bruno’s respectful and emotional words; he effectively communicated his desire to leave and pursue a new opportunity,” he stated.
“That doesn’t automatically mean he can go, but it certainly influences our decision-making when the right financial offer arrives.”
“It’s important to clarify that this was not part of our strategy or summer plans; it wasn’t in our thinking.”
“However, we must remain adaptable and respond to unforeseen events.”
Guimaraes bid a heartfelt goodbye to his teammates and staff before departing the club’s pre-season training camp in Spain.
He will become the fourth significant player to leave the club in less than a year.
Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon joined Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona, respectively, earlier in the window, while Alexander Isak transferred to Liverpool last summer.
Guimaraes’ loss is particularly significant due to his role as the club’s talisman, and Newcastle’s CEO, David Hopkinson, indicated that Arsenal had initially hoped to negotiate a lower transfer fee for a player approaching 29 years old in November.