Arsenal’s stance on transferring Bruno Guimaraes has been made perfectly clear amid a £51m alternative.
Arsenal remain interested in signing Newcastle star Bruno Guimaraes, but the chances of completing the transfer are low. The Gunners are expected to be busy this summer, making several decisions on both incoming and outgoing players.
Along with Guimaraes, Alexander Isak is another transfer target from Newcastle. However, the Magpies are reluctant to sell either player, with Isak’s high asking price making a transfer unlikely. Concerns do exist regarding Guimaraes, though.
Until late June, a £100 million release clause in Guimaraes’ contract can be activated, with the exact details recently revealed. Newcastle are in a precarious financial fair play situation, worsened by missing out on European competition after Manchester United’s FA Cup win secured them a spot in the Europa League, dropping Chelsea to the Europa Conference League, and leaving Newcastle with no European football.
The financial impact is significant, with reduced matchday revenue and prize money. This situation could force Newcastle to sell one of their star players, with Guimaraes more likely to depart than Isak, although an Arsenal move remains unlikely.
“Arsenal have no plans to trigger the (£100m) release clause,” journalist Ben Jacobs revealed. “They will only consider a move if the price drops. Martin Zubimendi remains a more concrete possibility. Guimaraes has given every indication he’s happy at Newcastle, but an exit can’t be discounted due to the clause.”
Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi is a long-term target for Arsenal and another midfielder with a release clause active this summer, reportedly around €60 million (£51m). Bayern Munich and Barcelona are also interested in the Spanish international.