ARSENAL, NEWCASTLE REACH AGREEMENT FOR BRUNO GUIMARÄES WITH FEE REVEALED AND IN FINAL STAGES

Bruno Guimarães has been linked with a move to Arsenal.

Arsenal and Newcastle United have reportedly ‘reached an agreement’ over a fee for Brazil international Bruno Guimarães after weeks of rumours.

The Gunners are still looking for a new midfielder this summer with Arsenal keen to build on their Premier League title-winning campaign by bringing in quality over quantity.

It has become clear in recent weeks that Guimarães has emerged as their top target for that area of the team and the Brazil international has reportedly made it clear that he wants to join the north London side.

Some journalists have claimed that talks are ‘advanced’, while other more local journalists have pushed back on that, but, whatever the truth, it now seems inevitable like Guimarães will move to Arsenal after Eddie Howe left St James’ Park.

Giving an update on his YouTube channel on Thursday, transfer insider Fabrizio Romano said: “And then guys, on Arsenal, don’t forget the Bruno Guimarães story because Arsenal are expected to return to the table over next week for Bruno Guimarães.

“Arsenal want Bruno. Mikel Arteta considers Bruno a top priority, so Arsenal are expected to be back in direct negotiations with Newcastle from next week

“It’s going to be an important week of new contacts. Then if the deal can get done already next week or not, this depends on the negotiation on the two clubs.

“The player has agreed personal terms with Arsenal, so Arsenal and Bruno Guimaraes have an agreement.

“Mikel Arteta is pushing to get Bruno Guimaraes because Mikel Arteta considers Bruno Guimaraes the perfect midfielder for Arsenal project, but now Bruno is keen.”

Newcastle, Arsenal ‘agreement’ and deal now in ‘final stages’

And now French newspaper L’Equipe has revealed that Arsenal and Newcastle ‘have reached an agreement in principle’ for the transfer of Guimarães with a deal now in its ‘final stages’.

Arsenal have not been keen to reach Newcastle’s €100m asking price for the midfielder and, after two bids around €70m and €80m, they have finally come to an agreement.

The report adds: ‘Arsenal finally swayed Newcastle United by proposing a base price of €90 million on Friday, plus bonuses that are still to be negotiated, as well as agent fees.

‘If all goes through in the coming days, the Brazilian international (48 caps, 3 goals), a key player in Carlo Ancelotti’s midfield for the national team, will become an Arsenal player, a dream he has cherished for the past month.’

ESPN Brasil had reported that Newcastle and Guimarães have had an ‘amicable agreement’ in place that if Newcastle failed to qualify for the Champions League then he would be allowed to leave the club.

- Joe Williams

BRUNO GUIMARÄES IN HIGH-LEVEL TALKS AS ARSENAL WEIGH UP OTHER TARGETS AMID NEWCASTLE DECISION

Newcastle United have been rocked by a suggestion Bruno Guimaraes wants to leave the club this summer

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 05: Bruno Guimaraes (l) and Sandro Tonali react during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Newcastle United FC and Athletic Club at St James' Park on November 05, 2025 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Newcastle United will stick to their guns if Bruno Guimaraes decides to hand in an official transfer request - with the Sandro Tonali sale an example of the club's sale policy.

Tottenham Hotspur did not want to pay £100m for the Italy international and were irked by Newcastle's stubborn stance on the deal. And Chronicle Live understands that Newcastle won't be prepared to do any business that isn't on their terms, with Arsenal yet to make an official approach for the Toon skipper.

Guimaraes is taking some time after his World Cup exit but remains in conversation with his representatives. Here's how things stand in the respective camps in the aftermath of news Bruno is considering his future:

Newcastle United's stance

The Brazil international is not for sale and one well-placed source suggested recently that even if an email dropped with the subject reading "Bruno offer", it would not be opened as the skipper is deemed as a vital cog in the wheel at St James' Park.

However, as of the close of play yesterday, the club had not received any type of official offer for the player's services. CEO David Hopkinson and sporting director Ross Wilson aren't naive and know that there is interest being drummed up by third parties and those close to the player's agency, but as things stand, there is no question to answer, although that is likely to change.

Arsenal's stance

The Gunners have an interest in Bruno and a decision was made behind the scenes at Arsenal that of the two Newcastle midfielders with uncertain futures out of the Brazilian and Sandro Tonali, the South American was their pick.

Like Newcastle, Arsenal have their own ideas on valuation, and the conversation on Bruno with intermediaries and dealmakers is understood to have begun at £45m. That was dismissed immediately by those at the other end when it was put to them verbally.

The suggestion was that it would take a bid north of £60m for Bruno, but Arsenal may not be willing to meet that. Of course, it is all transfer brinkmanship and negotiation tactics, but the Gunners' case on the player is that he is 29 on his next birthday and his value is only going to go down.

One source at the Arsenal end has suggested that the Gunners may drop the idea if it becomes too expensive for their liking and move on to another target. Bournemouth star Alex Scott and Lille's Ayyoub Bouaddi have been linked also.

Newcastle's dilemma could be if Arsenal do offer £60m, Bruno makes it clear he wants the move and pressure builds from the agency.

The Bruno camp

Bruno is represented by Bertolucci Sports, which is headed by Sao Paulo super agent Giuliano Bertolucci.

His close pal and representative on Tyneside is Alexis Malavolta, who runs the day-to-day life of Guimaraes, but the Arsenal situation, deemed transfer poker by industry insiders, could now be above Malavolta's head and be in the hands of Bertolucci and his legal team.

When the story that Bruno wanted to quit emerged last night, there was a suggestion from somebody close to the player's camp that the midfielder had not told anybody he wanted to leave.

What has been said, according to those on the inside at Arsenal, is that Bruno is concerned about the sporting project at Newcastle and the exits of Anthony Gordon to Barcelona and Tonali to Spurs are understandably making him wonder.

He left the World Cup having missed a penalty against Norway in the last 16 and while the player is emotional, it should have no bearing on how he feels about his future.

- Lee Ryder

OFFICIAL: CHELSEA SIGN JOÃO PEDRO FROM BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION

Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Chelsea woke up bright and early today, and took new signing João Pedro out to the beach in Miami to take some pictures for the official announcement of his signing. How scenic!

The 23-year-old Brazil international has thus completed his transfer from Brighton & Hove Albion in rather expeditious fashion, arriving in time to be registered for Friday’s Club World Cup quarterfinal against Palmeiras, even. He’s likely to make his debut then for his first minutes in his 8-year contract (eight!).

(Incidentally, should we advance, we could face his boyhood club, Fluminense in the semifinals.)

Chelsea have reportedly given Brighton a cool £55m to make this transfer happen, with a further £5m in potential add-ons and bonuses.

“Everyone knows this is a big club with a great history. They had brilliant players in the past and have brilliant players now. So I am excited to join and you know when you are a Chelsea player you must think one thing — win.”

-João Pedro; source: Chelsea FC

 Amen.

Welcome, João Pedro, let’s win some things!

The boy from Brazil. 

pic.twitter.com/lVM8B9TlBV

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 2, 2025

NEYMAR SUBBED OFF WITH INJURY

Neymar felt his thigh in Al Hilal vs Esteghlal
Yasser Bakhsh / Getty Images via AFP

Neymar made his second appearance for Al Hilal as he continues his return following a year-long absence due to an ACL tear, but it didn't last long.

The Brazil international came on in the 58th minute of his team's 3-0 win in an Asian Champions League Elite match on Monday, but was subbed off less than 30 minutes later after going to ground and grabbing the back of his right leg having seemed to pull up while stretching his leg out for the ball in the penalty area.

Aleksandar Mitrovic scored a hat trick to lead Al Hilal to the win and put them at the top of the league phase table of the Asian Champions League

Neymar saw his first action for Al Hilal, who he joined in 2023 from Paris Saint-Germain, on Oct. 21, but hadn't played again until Wednesday's game against Esteghlal as he cannot be registered for Saudi Pro League games until January.

Al Hilal had planned a slow return for Brazil's all-time leading scorer, who suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury during Brazil's qualifier against Uruguay shortly after joining the Saudi side and underwent surgery last November.

Neymar was also left off Brazil's latest squad for a pair of November World Cup qualifiers, with coach Dorival saying the team and federation didn't want to rush his return to the national team.

Brazil are fourth in their World Cup qualifying group, four points adrift of leaders Argentina after 10 games.

Information from Reuters was used in this story.

- ESPN News Services

SOURCE: LIVERPOOL CLOSE TO SIGNING VALENCIA'S MAMARDASHVILI

Giorgi Mamardashvili is close to agreeing a deal with Liverpool. Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images

Liverpool are closing in on their first signing of the Arne Slot era after stepping up talks with Valencia for goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, a source has told ESPN.

Valencia and Liverpool are discussing a fee in the region of €40 million ($44m) for the 6 feet 6 inches Georgia international, but while a deal has not yet been finalised, a source has told ESPN that negotiations are moving towards a successful conclusion.

However, the 23-year-old, who helped Georgia reach the round-of-16 during their first appearance at a major tournament during Euro 2024, is set to remain in Spain, on loan at La Liga side Valencia, until the end of the 2024-25 season before moving to Anfield next summer.

Brazil international Alisson Becker and Republic of Ireland No. 1 Caoimhín Kelleher remain the senior goalkeepers at Liverpool, but the move for Mamardashvili is viewed as planning for a future when either Alisson or Kelleher leave the club.

With Jürgen Klopp stepping down as Liverpool manager at the end of last season after almost nine years in charge, new coach Slot has yet to bolster the squad he inherited since arriving from Feyenoord.

A move for Real Sociedad midfielder Martín Zubimendi failed to materialise due to the Spain international opting to stay with the La Liga side, while interest in Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon did not progress earlier this summer.

Slot has said he is happy with the strength of his existing squad, but a deal for Mamardashvili would signal the first major signing of his time in charge.

- Mark Ogden, Senior Writer, ESPN FC

ARSENAL FORWARD WON'T LEAVE THIS SUMMER - ARTETA

Gabriel Jesus joined Arsenal in 2022 from Manchester City. David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said on Friday the club have no intention of allowing striker Gabriel Jesus to leave the club this summer.

Reports earlier this week suggested that Arsenal would be willing to listen to offers for the 27-year-old, who will have three years remaining on his contract at the end of the season.

Jesus has scored eight goals in 33 appearances this season playing primarily as a striker but also out wide.

The Brazil international has struggled with knee problems since undergoing surgery for an injury sustained at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He underwent a second minor operation in January and admitted last month he couldn't "remember the last day I played football without pain."

Kai Havertz has assumed a key role in leading Arsenal's attack at the expense of Jesus of late but when asked on Friday about speculation the Brazil international could leave the club, Arteta said: "I don't know where this is coming from."

Sources have told ESPN that Arsenal are prepared to sell several fringe players to help boost their summer transfer budget.

Pushed on whether he had any intention of letting Jesus, who joined Arsenal from Manchester City for £45 million ($56.5m) in 2022, move on at the end of the campaign, Arteta replied: "No, no."

Arteta stated his hope that Jorginho would soon agree a new deal as talks continue over an extension.

The 32-year-old's contract expires at the end of the season and the Italy international is thought to be keen on staying at the club he joined from Chelsea for £12 million in January last year.

"I would love to keep him,"Arteta said. "He knows that. The club is fully supportive of that. He's a really important player with us, on and off the field. He makes us better so we want him to stay."

Arteta has a fully fit squad to choose from ahead of Saturday's visit of Bournemouth and the Arsenal boss is weighing up whether to include Jurriën Timber after two appearances for Arsenal under-21s having been sidelined since August following knee surgery.

"We won't know [if Timber is ready] until we throw him in there," Arteta added.

"It's tricky because there are only three games to go and he has missed eight months of football, he's played only 150 minutes of football with the U21s, it's a question that can only be resolved by throwing him on the pitch and we will see what happens, we have to try to nail that decision when [we take it]."

- James Olley, Senior Writer, ESPN FC

REAL MADRID FILES COMPLAINT TO PROSECUTOR AND SOCCER FEDERATION AFTER MORE FAN ABUSE OF VINICIUS

AP Photo

 MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid filed a new complaint with Spanish state prosecutors on Monday following reports of more hate chants aimed at forward Vinícius Júnior in the Spanish league.

The club also filed a complaint with the Spanish Football Federation disciplinary committee against the referee of Saturday's match at Osasuna for not including in his match report the alleged “Die, Vinícius” chants by local fans at El Sadar Stadium.

Madrid called the match report by referee Juan Martínez Munuera “negligent.”

“The official omitted, in voluntary and deliberate fashion, the insults and humiliating chants directed towards our player on a repeated basis, despite his attention being drawn to them continually by our players as they were happening,” Madrid said in a statement late Monday.

Madrid last week asked prosecutors to investigate reported racist chants targeting the Brazil international outside the stadiums of Atletico Madrid and Barcelona before their Champions League games.

Madrid has asked prosecutors to try to “identify the perpetrators of the abuse” against its player.

“Real Madrid once again condemns these violent attacks of racism, discrimination and hate and demands that measures finally be taken in order to eradicate the violence to which our player Vinícius Júnior has been subjected,” the club said.

On Thursday, Vinícius retweeted a video that showed Atletico fans jumping and chanting “Vinícius chimpanzee” before the team played Inter Milan on Wednesday.

There were also reports of hate chants against Vinícius before the Barcelona-Napoli match on Tuesday, when Barcelona fans also allegedly chanted “Die, Vinícius” before the team’s 3-1 win.

Vinícius, who is Black, has been relentlessly targeted by racist slurs during away games in Spain, especially in the last two seasons.

The Spanish league has also reported some of the abuse aimed at Vinícius to Spanish prosecutors.

In 2023, Atletico fans hanged an effigy of Vinícius from a bridge in Madrid before a city derby. Prosecutors sought four-year prison sentences for the four hardcore fans accused by authorities of committing the act.

- TALES AZZONI

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