Arsenal sign Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle on four-year deal
Arsenal have completed the signing of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United on a four-year deal with the option of an extra 12 months on Saturday, August 8, with British media reporting the fee at 75 million pounds. The move was confirmed by the club on the same day.
Guimaraes is Arsenal’s fourth acquisition of the season after the club made Piero Hincapie’s loan permanent and added Christos Tzolis and Illan Meslier. The Brazilian arrives at the reigning Premier League champions where the midfield already includes Martin Odegaard, Mikel Merino, Martin Zubimendi and Declan Rice. The player made his feelings known to Newcastle after the World Cup that he wanted to move to Arsenal.
Speaking to the club's website, Guimaraes said: "I feel good, I feel amazing. I'm glad for the opportunity. Since the first time I spoke to (Andrea) Berta and Mikel (Arteta), I was excited. I just felt inside of me that I need a new challenge in my life and I think to be an Arsenal player is going to be an exciting challenge in my life." "Well I think, after playing two World Cups, I think I'm at the point of my life, I think 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. I'm so excited to start," said Guimaraes.
Guimaraes also described conversations with team-mates that helped persuade him to join, saying: "Big Gabi (Gabriel) was very excited. 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, we have an amazing squad here." "(Declan) Rice sent me a message: "Come here and please no more fights, now we're friends". 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," said Guimaraes.
The departure of Guimaraes was described in the report as the latest in an exodus from Newcastle; the club had already lost Sandro Tonali to Tottenham prior to this move. Newcastle also lost manager Eddie Howe, who quit his role ahead of the new season.
"We have tough games to play this season, so the squad is going to be very, very important and I'm hopeful we can achieve our dreams," said Guimaraes.
