Spurs' Tonali deal has hurt Arsenal's Bruno Guimares pursuit
Arsenal's pursuit of Bruno Guimaraes has been hurt by Tottenham's £100m deal for Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali. The sale strengthened Newcastle's resolve to keep their captain, after rejecting Arsenal's £55m bid. Without Spurs' spending spree, the Magpies may have been more open to selling the Brazilian, but the door now looks shut.
Tottenham Hotspur have rarely got the better of Arsenal in recent seasons, yet their summer transfer business may have landed a telling blow on their north London rivals. The fight for bruno guimares sits at the center of that fallout, with Spurs reshaping the market after paying a fee Newcastle could not refuse for Tonali.
Key Takeaways
- Tottenham's £100m Tonali deal, plus sales of Anthony Gordon, has left Newcastle unwilling to lose Bruno Guimaraes in the same window.
- Arsenal had a £55m bid for Guimaraes rejected and is preparing a renewed approach worth around £60m, per reports.
- Fabrizio Romano calls Guimaraes Arsenal's "top target in midfield," but Newcastle has told the player he is not for sale.
- Reports suggest an offer near £65m could test Newcastle internally, though the club publicly insists Guimaraes is "priceless."
- Arsenal may need to spend more than planned or pivot to another midfielder as Spurs inflate the market.
How did Tottenham hurt Arsenal's Bruno Guimaraes chase?
According to Sports Illustrated, Spurs went on a spending spree that included Mateus Fernandes and a £100m package for Sandro Tonali. Arsenal were also linked with Tonali but were not willing to commit the finances required.
That left the Premier League champions to focus on Guimaraes. They submitted a £55m (US$73m) offer that Newcastle rejected, and the Magpies then made clear to the Brazilian and his camp that they have no intention of selling him.
SI reports that had Tottenham not made Newcastle an offer they simply could not refuse for Tonali, the Magpies likely would have been more willing to part with the 28-year-old Guimaraes. Instead, losing Tonali and Gordon in one window has hardened Newcastle's stance.
Why won't Newcastle sell Bruno Guimaraes this summer?
Newcastle have already sold Anthony Gordon to Barcelona for £70m and agreed Tonali's move to Tottenham. The Sun reports the Magpies insist Guimaraes is not for sale during the current transfer window and that Tonali's departure strengthens their resolve to keep their captain.
Coming Home Newcastle cites The Mirror saying Eddie Howe wants to keep Guimaraes "at all costs" and that the club views his talent as "priceless." The outlet also notes Chronicle Live reporting that an offer around £65m could represent an internal tipping point, despite the public hard line.
Guimaraes, currently with Brazil at the World Cup, has two years left on his contract. SB Nation adds that Newcastle is reportedly planning a major contract extension worth around £40m to keep him at St James' Park.
Can Arsenal still sign Bruno Guimaraes?
Arsenal have not abandoned the chase. The Sun says they have not yet made a formal offer but had an intermediary approach knocked back and still believe a deal can be done. They are expected to return with a package worth around £60m.
Transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano, quoted by SI, said Guimaraes has "always been a player appreciated by [Mikel] Arteta" and remains the Gunners' top midfield target. Romano suggested Arsenal could bid again, though Newcastle's door is closed for now.
Mikel Arteta's interest in Guimaraes dates back to 2020, when Arsenal scouted him at Athletico Paranaense. Sporting director Andrea Berta is now leading the pursuit as the club seeks midfield cover for Declan Rice.
What's next for Arsenal's midfield search?
Arsenal's options are narrowing and getting pricier. SI notes the market has been inflated by Spurs' work, meaning the reigning champions may have to spend more than they would like or pivot to an alternative.
Guimaraes would be a major coup, but Newcastle's strengthened negotiating position makes a breakthrough uncertain. For more transfer-market context, see our Future Tech & AI Wonders coverage hub.
Arsenal's summer rebuild continues, but Tottenham may have already done more damage off the pitch than on it this window.