Guimaraes tells Toon: I want to join Arsenal

BRUNO GUIMARAES has told Newcastle he wants to leave and join Arsenal — but the club will only engage if they are contacted by the Premier League champions. Daily Mail Sport revealed last month that the Magpies were braced for an offer from the Gunners after agents started exploring the Brazilian’s options. A verbal offer via an intermediary was dismissed, but we understand further discussions around numbers have now taken place. However, Newcastle sporting director Ross Wilson will not consider any approach until it is made official.

There is astonishment inside St James’ Park that Arsenal transfer chief Andrea Berta has not made contact, despite their known interest in the 28-year-old. Intermediaries believe a fee of around £75million could allow the deal to progress, especially now Guimaraes has communicated his wish to leave, but Newcastle are determined to keep their captain. He has two years to run on his contract but Newcastle have an option to extend it by 12 months, offering them some protection. Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is keen to strengthen his midfield ahead of the club’s Premier League title defence and Guimaraes, who has been with Brazil at the World Cup, is their main target. After four-and-a-half years on Tyneside, he wants a new challenge. Newcastle — who have already lost Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali since the end of last season — will be keen to avoid a drawnout saga, like when Alexander Isak left for Liverpool last summer, and the onus is now on Arsenal to make their bid official.