Bruno Guimaraes would be a dream signing for Arsenal this summer after verbal offer reportedly made to Newcastle United
Bruno Guimaraes was a player whom I was desperate to see join Arsenal. I loved his progressive passing, ability to score from midfield, and the fact that his ceiling to become a top Premier League player was obvious.
This was more than six years ago, when the Gunners were linked in the January window of 2020, more than a year before I began working at football.london . At the time, I spoke with Vinicius Furlan, an Atletico Paranaense supporter covering the club at Tretis TV, a dedicated platform for the club where Guimaraes was playing.
Despite Guimaraes’ age being just 22, he was described at the time as “by far” the best midfielder in the Brazilian league. Vinicius went as far as to label him as the best player ever to have played for the club.
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Arsenal missed out on him, and he joined Lyon. After just one season, Arsenal were interested again, but he remained in France until 2022, when the Gunners were keen again.
However, instead Newcastle United stormed into proceedings, showed great passion to sign him, and while the Gunners remained tentative in the window, the Magpies, backed with money, dropped £40million on the player and have not regretted a penny of that.
It is my view that had Arsenal signed Guimaraes, they might’ve landed a title even sooner, provided that a move for Declan Rice would still have taken place 18 months later, which some might argue it might not have. The rest is history.
But with links again to Guimaraes and suggestions according to the Mail, that representatives have spoken with Arsenal, there is again a possibility of signing the Brazilian. It looks unlikely, with Newcastle believed not to be open to a sale whatsoever, especially with Sandro Tonali appearing to be on the move too.
But if it can be done, it should be done. Even at 28, turning 29 this November, but not a day sooner because that is how it works, Guimaraes seems to get better and better.
There is no shock that Manchester City were keen on the player in 2025, and thank goodness that deal never happened. With Arsenal keen on Morgan Rogers too, to think that the midfield next season could be Declan Rice, Bruno Guimaraes and Morgan Rogers is tantalising.
Having won the Premier League, adding Guimaraes to the depth of options would feel like a cheat code.
Last season in the English top flight, players in his position, according to FotMob he was in the top 4% for goals per 90 (0.33), top 7% for non-penalty expected goals per 90 (0.15), top 16% for assists per 90 (0.18), top 14% for chances created per 90 (1.65), inside the top 1% for fouls won per 90 (2.75) and the top 19% for possession won in the final third per 90 (0.66).
As an all-round player, there are few better. If it can be done, it must be done.
