BRUNO GUIMARÄ SCREAMER & DAVID RAYA HEROICS | ARSENAL VS. SUNDERLAND | PREMIER LEAGUE

 

VINICIUS JR AGREEMENT CONFIRMES AS DECISION BETWEEN ARSENAL, REAL MADRID MADE

Vinicius Junior has reached an agreement, with Arsenal and Real Madrid learning who the Brazil superstar will play for next season, according to a report.

On the back of lifting their first Premier League title in over two decades, Arsenal sought to attack the transfer market to help launch a dynasty.

Bruno Guimarães is arriving to the tune of £75m and the Brazilian has passed a medical. Personal terms are already sealed.

However, The Gunners aimed to sign an even higher profile Brazil international in the form of Real Madrid winger, Vinicius Junior.

The 26-year-old is in the final year of his contract at the Bernabeu and Real Madrid have no intention of losing such a highly valuable asset to free agency next summer.

As such, only two outcomes appeared to be in play – Vinicius re-signs at Real or joins Arsenal.

Mikel Arteta’s side made a huge play for Vinicius, with the Spaniard personally contacting the winger to discuss his role at the Emirates.

Arsenal also made it crystal clear they were fully prepared to demolish their wage structure and make Vinicius Junior by far their highest paid player ever.

However, the player’s preference always remained re-signing with Real Madrid. And on Wednesday, a crunch round of talks between he, his agents and the LaLiga giant took place.

While no agreement was struck at that time, Ben Jacobs and Fabrizio Romano were among many more trusted sources to stress Vinicius was now likely to remain a Madridista.

Ben Jacobs wrote on X: ‘Understand Real Madrid are confident this evening that Vinicius Jr will extend after productive talks.’

Fabrizio Romano took to the same platform when stating: ‘Real Madrid are increasingly confident to receive final green light from Vinicius Jr on new contract.

‘New proposal being discussed but Madrid optimistic and Vini Jr’s camp also positive after today’s meeting. José Mourinho also got involved.’

He subsequently added: José Mourinho, personally involved in Vinicius Jr new contract discussions as he’s been pushing for the Brazilian to stay.

‘Real Madrid are confident, José told the club he wants Vini to stay and also told Vini about plans for him to continue.’

Vinicius Junior agrees new contract at Real Madrid

And on Thursday morning, Spanish reporter, Ramon Alvarez de Mon, claimed an agreement has now been struck that will see Vinicius sign a contract extension at the Bernabeu, thus ending Arsenal’s hopes.

The reporter, who boasts over 300,000 followers on X: wrote: ‘Vinicius and Real Madrid reach an agreement for his contract renewal, which is expected to be signed soon.’

Missing out on Vinicius Junior will be a painful blow to Arsenal who have already tried and failed to sign another major name for the left side this summer – Morgan Rogers.

The Gunners could now reignite interest in PSG’s Bradley Barcola, though there could be more heartache for the Gunners.

Barcola is Liverpool’s top target and according to Jacobs, the Frenchman will prioritise signing for Liverpool over Arsenal if both clubs strike a deal with PSG…

- Steve Pearson

BRUNO GUIMARÃES | DONE DEAL | ARSENAL FC

 

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

"THE FINAL STRAW" - NEWCASTLE JOURNALIST FINALLY MAKES BRUNO GUIMARÄES TO ARSENAL CLAIM AFTER EDDIE HOWE EXIT

Eddie Howe looks on (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimarães is seemingly expected to be sold this summer amid links with Arsenal, as per the Telegraph’s Luke Edwards.

The Brazil international has been strongly linked with the Gunners and it seems Edwards is finally admitting that the feeling seems to be that his future is in serious doubt.

Eddie Howe has today left his position as Newcastle manager, with Edwards posting on X about how it looks like the likely Guimarães sale is seen as the final straw for the English tactician.

“Howe believes Bruno Guimarães will be sold this summer.. the final straw,” Edwards said in a follow-up to a previous post about Howe quitting Newcastle.

This is significant because Edwards has previously played down the Guimarães to Arsenal transfer stories, but it seems he’s finally receiving information that is more in line with what numerous other journalists have been reporting for a while.

Arsenal fans will hope this means there’s a major Guimarães update soon as he would be a hugely exciting addition to Mikel Arteta’s squad.

Bruno Guimarães unhappy as Eddie Howe leaves Newcastle

It’s been claimed that Guimarães is unhappy with Howe leaving, and it surely makes sense that all the change inside Newcastle has left everyone unsettled.

Guimarães could follow Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali in leaving NUFC this summer, while Alexander Isak left to join Liverpool last year.

This has all contributed towards the Magpies going majorly downhill, and it’s hard to imagine a world class player like Guimarães sticking around in those circumstances.

The 28-year-old would likely be a great fit at the Emirates Stadium, giving Arsenal more depth in the middle of the park after the club relied so heavily on Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi playing 90 minutes twice a week for so much of last season.

- Mark Brus

CARABAO CUP FINAL - NEWCASTLE 2-1 LIVERPOOL - MATCH REPORT: SEE IT TO BELIEVE

Generational win to truly get a new era started.

Newcastle United ended a 70-year wait for a domestic trophy, defeating Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley to win the Carabao Cup final.

Read that again.

Newcastle United ended a 70-year wait for a domestic trophy, defeating Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley to win the Carabao Cup final.

How does that feel?

And because you cannot write a better story, goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak were the ones securing the victory, giving Eddie Howe’s team their first major silverware since the 1955 FA Cup.

Liverpool entered the match as favorites, but Newcastle started with intensity, pressing high and dictating the early tempo, putting the Reds’ backs against a wall they’d never find a way to clear.

Sandro Tonali sent an early warning shot past the post, while Newcastle’s midfield trio of Tonali, Joelinton, and Bruno Guimarães controlled the first half.

Liverpool struggled to create, managing only one shot and two touches in Newcastle’s box before halftime. Just imagine!

The breakthrough came in stoppage time. Kieran Trippier delivered a corner to the back post, where Burn, unmarked by the much smaller Alexis Mac Allister, powered a header across goal and past Caoimhin Kelleher.

The Newcastle end of Wembley erupted as Burn, a boyhood fan of the club and legitimate Magpie, celebrated a goal that put Newcastle on the verge of history.

Seven minutes into the second half, Isak doubled Newcastle’s lead.

After having a close-range finish ruled out for offside moments earlier, the Swedish striker capitalized on Jacob Murphy’s header across goal, sweeping his shot into the bottom left corner.

Newcastle were in control, while Liverpool, still dealing with the fatigue of their midweek Champions League elimination at the hands of PSG—who Newcastle trounced not long ago—struggled to respond.

Substitute Curtis Jones forced Nick Pope into a sharp save just before the hour mark, but Newcastle continued to look the more dangerous side and, hey, it’s not that Pope didn’t deserve his own moment to laugh at the Scousers.

Arne Slot adjusted Liverpool’s shape late on, pushing more attackers forward, yet Newcastle’s defensive organization held firm.

Deep into stoppage time, Federico Chiesa broke through and slid a finish past Pope. Initially flagged offside, VAR confirmed the goal, setting up a tense final minute.

But Newcastle held out, sealing a victory that ended decades of near misses and disappointments and also that, hopefully, kickstart an era of true and absolute dominance.

After the match, Howe praised his team’s effort and all of the now-legendary Geordie boys.

“I’m so pleased for the players, for the supporters, for everyone connected with the club,” Howe said. “It’s been a long time coming, but tonight we showed what this team is capable of.”

Newcastle will return to Premier League action on April 2 against Brentford, now as Carabao Cup champions, and with sculptors taking Howe’s measures for the inevitable statue that will soon grace the new Newcastle stadium.

Howay!

- Chapulana