£77 million gamble by Arsenal Gunners on Bruno Guimaraes as Vinicius Jr saga stalls

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is reported to have secured a £77 million agreement for Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes, while the contract saga of Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior remains unresolved. The Gunners are preparing to defend their league title and see the midfield addition as a crucial boost.

The club already boasts a deep midfield roster, with Declan Rice, Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi, Martin Odegaard, Christian Norgaard and Myles Lewis‑Skelly all available to Arteta. This depth gives Arteta options, yet he remains eager to add further quality.

Arsenal have pursued Guimaraes throughout the summer, especially after Eddie Howe’s recent departure from Newcastle left the Magpies vulnerable in retaining their captain. The English side view the Brazilian‑born midfielder as a valuable reinforcement.

According to the report, the £77 million fee still requires bonuses and agent fees to be settled. Guimaraes’ former club Lyon, which sold him to Newcastle for £40 million in 2022, is entitled to 20 % of any future profit, meaning the deal would generate almost £8 million for Lyon.

The 28‑year‑old is eager to join the Premier League champions, and his exit would mark the fourth major summer departure from Newcastle after Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and manager Eddie Howe. The addition would give Arteta valuable depth ahead of the club’s title defence.

Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior has been offered a final contract without any salary increase, and manager Jose Mourinho is said to have personally urged the 26‑year‑old to stay, after senior figures resisted his demand to match top earner Kylian Mbappé.

If Vinicius rejects the offer, Madrid have indicated they will look to sell him this summer. Arsenal must still finalise the Guimaraes deal, resolve the pending bonuses and agent fees, and await any breakthrough in the Vinicius negotiations before confirming their midfield overhaul.

Comments from SportFasika Zelealem, Senior Sports Reporter, 04:00, 01 Aug 2026, accompany the report.