Bruno Guimaraes’ future looks likely to be away from Newcastle United – but there could yet be a curveball in where he ends up.
The Newcastle captain has been at the centre of a bit of a transfer saga this summer since it emerged that Premier League champions Arsenal are reportedly keen on securing his signature.
It was widely reported on Thursday that the Gunners were set to launch a £70m bid for the Brazilian, who has spent this summer at the World Cup.
Guimaraes is said to have told Newcastle that he would like to pursue a future away from the club after their disappointing 2025/26 campaign.
The club have already lost two of their star players this summer, with Anthony Gordon moving to Barcelona and Sandro Tonali joining Tottenham.
However, after weeks of reports of their interest, it has been reported that Arsenal could yet face a last-minute swoop from a rival.
Simon Phillips claims on his Chelsea Substack that there is ‘definitely something there’ in Chelsea’s interest in Guimaraes.
However, Phillips acknowledges that Chelsea would need to act rapidly if they are to get in there ahead of Arsenal.
Fabrizio Romano wrote on Thursday evening that the Gunners have already agreed personal terms with Guimaraes, but that Newcastle are still expected to fight to hold onto their captain.
That could leave a potential window for Chelsea to sneak in and make a rival bid that Newcastle found too enticing to turn down for the 28 year old.
Chelsea have already been thwarted this summer in their attempt to sign Granit Xhaka from Sunderland.
The Swiss international was a key player for new Blues head coach Xabi Alonso as they won the German double with Bayer Leverkusen.
However, Sunderland have insisted their captain is not for sale, while Xhaka is said to want to remain at the Stadium of Light and help push them further after they claimed a Europa League place as a newly-promoted side last season.
