Bruno Guimaraes has revealed Declan Rice jokingly asked him to put an end to their on-field rivalry after completing his £75million move to Arsenal.
Guimaraes, 28, completed his transfer from Newcastle earlier today, with the midfielder set to partner Rice in the Premier League champions’ midfield after signing a four-year deal, with the option of a further 12 months.
‘Rice sent me a message: “Come here and please no more fights, now we’re friends,”‘ Guimaraes said after completing his switch to the Emirates.
The pair have previously been on opposing sides of some fiery encounters, with Guimaraes and Rice involved in a number of physical battles during Arsenal’s clashes with Newcastle.
In one such incident, during a Premier League clash in November 2023, referee Stuart Attwell had to pull the two players apart as they pushed and shoved each other in a moment sparked by Guimaraes smashing the ball at Kai Havertz.
Guimaraes is set to join a decorated midfield featuring the likes of Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino and Martin Odegaard, as well as Rice.
The pair have previously been on opposing sides of some fiery encounters, with Guimaraes and Rice involved in a number of physical battles during Arsenal’s clashes with Newcastle
Guimaraes is also set to link up with three of his Brazilian team-mates in Gabriel, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus, although Jesus could still leave this summer
The Brazilian continued: ‘I was happy he messaged me, but the midfield we have here, in my point of view, is one of the best in Europe.
‘Everyone is an amazing player, I’m so excited to start chatting and play, and know the players very, very well, but we have an amazing midfield.’
Guimaraes is also set to link up with three of his Brazilian team-mates in Gabriel, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus, although Jesus could still leave this summer.
‘Big Gabi was very excited,’ Guimaraes added. ‘Every time he sent me the message, “We’ll wait for you, when will you come?” I’m so excited to join them, not only the Brazilians.’
Guimaraes becomes Arsenal’s fourth arrival of the transfer window after they made Piero Hincapie’s loan move permanent and signed Christos Tzolis and Illan Meslier, taking their summer spend to around £145m as they look to build on last season’s Premier League title and run to the Champions League final.
Hailing from Rio de Janeiro, Guimaraes joined Newcastle from Lyon in 2022 and was handed the captain’s armband two years later. In 2025, Guimaraes helped Newcastle win their first major trophy in 70 years, leading the side to victory over Liverpool as they were crowned Carabao Cup champions.
His move is another complication for the club, who had already sold Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali this window before Eddie Howe stepped down as manager on July 31.
Guimaraes described leaving Newcastle as ‘one of the toughest decisions of my life’ but admitted he felt he needed a new challenge.
In 2025, Guimaraes helped Newcastle win their first major trophy in 70 years, leading the side to victory over Liverpool as they were crowned Carabao Cup champions
‘After playing two World Cups, I’m at the point of my life, I need a challenge like this. I want to win trophies, I want to make history and I think I’m in the right place to do it,’ he said.
Sporting director Andrea Berta added: ‘We are delighted to welcome Bruno Guimaraes to our club.
‘Bruno is a player with a great mentality and great quality, who will bring strong leadership to our squad.
‘With Bruno joining us, we are further strengthening the heart of our team. As we have all seen, Bruno can play as a defensive midfielder and as a box-to-box player. He combines quality with quantity and has provided goals and assists for his team every year.
‘Bruno will allow Mikel to further develop our playing style and will also increase our internal competitiveness, which is essential for maintaining the standards required when we are aiming to win major trophies.’
