Arsenal have an additional sweetener ready to use in their pursuit of Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes after reportedly seeing their first offer for the Brazilian rejected
Mikel Arteta will hope to dangle any carrot at his disposal in the hopes of signing Bruno Guimaraes this summer. The Gunners have reportedly seen a £55million offer for the Brazil star rejected already this summer but aren’t expected to give up the chase easily.
Arsenal are seemingly ready to expand their options in midfield after Mikel Merino missed much of the 2025/26 campaign through injury. Guimaraes, who is currently away with Brazil on World Cup duty, appears to have caught their eye as a top target.
And Arsenal will be able to offer the Magpies skipper his preferred No. 39 shirt immediately if he does move to north London. However minor that may appear at face value, the gesture could be a significant one for Guimaraes.
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The former Lyon star has worn the No. 39 throughout his career as a tribute to his father, Dick. That being the same call sign of the taxi his dad drove around Rio de Janeiro for more than 20 years.
Guimaraes still holds an incredibly close connection to his father. The South American’s family members moved with him to the north-east following his 2022 transfer to St. James’ Park from France.
More than a decade since an Arsenal regular last wore the No. 39. Hector Bellerin used the shirt during his 2014/15 campaign and it hasn’t been seen in prominent circulation at the Emirates Stadium since.
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Harrison Dudziak was awarded the number last season but never made a first-team appearance for the club. It’s already been confirmed the 20-year-old midfielder will leave Arsenal this summer, freeing up the jersey once more.
Guimaraes has worn the No. 39 at almost every club he’s represented in his professional career to date. Starting out at Athletico Paranaense almost a decade ago, he has kept up the homage to his father at Lyon, Newcastle and possible now Arsenal, too.
Fresh off of winning a first Premier League title in 20 years, it’s clear the Gunners aren’t resting on their laurels as they look to go back-to-back. However, captain Martin Odegaard’s place in the starting XI has come in for scrutiny after he was injured for much of the season.
Martin Zubimendi featured in every league fixture en route to claiming the crown, though he too copped criticism at times. As things stand, Declan Rice may be the only midfielder universally adored by the club’s fan base.
In that regard, a move for Guimaraes makes a lot of sense if the club is looking to upgrade. Newcastle are reportedly in a position where they need to sell a certain amount to balance the books but may be particularly resistant to the prospect of selling their captain.
