{"id":20934,"date":"2026-07-24T13:31:23","date_gmt":"2026-07-24T13:31:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=20934"},"modified":"2026-07-24T13:31:23","modified_gmt":"2026-07-24T13:31:23","slug":"arsenal-given-free-run-by-chelsea-to-sign-bruno-guimaraes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=20934","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal given free run by Chelsea to sign Bruno Guimaraes"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<!-- Article Start --><\/p>\n<p><strong>Arsenal have received an important transfer boost in their pursuit of Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimar\u00e3es, with Chelsea reportedly not competing for his signature.<br \/><\/strong><br \/>The absence of another wealthy Premier League rival could make negotiations less complicated, although Newcastle\u2019s refusal to sell remains a far greater obstacle than competition from elsewhere.<\/p>\n<div id=\"message-list_1779082922.637049\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" aria-labelledby=\"primary-DPALHTQM9-1779082922.637049-sender primary-DPALHTQM9-1779082922.637049-message_text primary-DPALHTQM9-1779082922.637049-alt_text primary-DPALHTQM9-1779082922.637049-date_time primary-DPALHTQM9-1779082922.637049-reaction_count primary-DPALHTQM9-1779082922.637049-reply_count primary-DPALHTQM9-1779082922.637049-link_count primary-DPALHTQM9-1779082922.637049-attachment_count primary-DPALHTQM9-1779082922.637049-has_draft_reply primary-DPALHTQM9-1779082922.637049-pinned_state primary-DPALHTQM9-1779082922.637049-edited_state primary-DPALHTQM9-1779082922.637049-later_state primary-DPALHTQM9-1779082922.637049-broadcast_state primary-DPALHTQM9-1779082922.637049-broadcast_thread_root_message primary-DPALHTQM9-1779082922.637049-translated_state\" style=\"clear:left;\">\n<div>\n<div aria-roledescription=\"message\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div>\n<div><b>DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST &#038; BREAKING UPDATES \u2013 STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON <\/b><b><u><span draggable=\"true\">APPLE<\/span><\/u><\/b><b>  &#038; <\/b><b><u><span draggable=\"true\">GOOGLE PLAY<\/span><\/u><\/b><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Mikel Arteta has identified the Brazil international as a leading midfield target and is personally pushing for the move.<\/p>\n<p>Guimar\u00e3es would bring Premier League experience, leadership and the ability to dictate possession alongside Declan Rice and Mart\u00edn Zubimendi.<\/p>\n<p>The expectation among several Premier League clubs is that Arsenal will eventually secure the midfielder. However, Newcastle continue to insist that their captain is unavailable,<\/p>\n<h2>Chelsea withdraw as Arsenal become expected destination<\/h2>\n<p>According to Alex Crook of talkSPORT, Chelsea are not pursuing Guimar\u00e3es despite previous suggestions that they could enter the race.<\/p>\n<p>The expectation among other Premier League clubs is that the 28-year-old will join Arsenal if he leaves St James\u2019 Park.<\/p>\n<p>That development gives the Gunners a clearer route because they may not need to fight an expensive bidding war with another English heavyweight.<\/p>\n<p>Arsenal have also reportedly agreed personal terms, removing one of the major barriers to completing the transfer.<\/p>\n<p>Newcastle\u2019s position has not changed, though. They still consider Guimar\u00e3es an essential part of their plans and publicly maintain that he is not for sale.<\/p>\n<section class=\"more-stories std-mgn-b\">&#13;<\/p>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<header class=\"col-s-12 std-mgn-t\">More Stories \/ <span class=\"topic\">Latest News<\/span><\/header>\n<div class=\"post-container col-s-4\">\n<p>\t\t\t&#13;<\/p>\n<div class=\"img-cntr\"><picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-2-12-190x114.jpg.webp 190w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-2-12-245x147.jpg.webp 245w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-2-12-320x193.jpg.webp 320w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-2-12-414x249.jpg.webp 414w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-2-12-630x379.jpg.webp 630w\" data-sizes=\"(min-width:1230px) 237px, (min-width:1020px) 190px, (min-width:900px) 280px, (min-width:680px) 30vw, (min-width:414px) 125px, 30vw\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1495\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-2-12.jpg\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-1663364 has-webp lazyload\" alt=\"Chrislain Matsima with Augsburg.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-2-12-190x114.jpg 190w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-2-12-245x147.jpg 245w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-2-12-320x193.jpg 320w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-2-12-414x249.jpg 414w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-2-12-630x379.jpg 630w\" data-sizes=\"(min-width:1230px) 237px, (min-width:1020px) 190px, (min-width:900px) 280px, (min-width:680px) 30vw, (min-width:414px) 125px, 30vw\"\/><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-container col-s-4\">\n<p>\t\t\t&#13;<\/p>\n<div class=\"img-cntr\"><picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Taty-Castellanos-in-action-for-Lazio-190x151.jpg.webp 190w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Taty-Castellanos-in-action-for-Lazio-245x195.jpg.webp 245w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Taty-Castellanos-in-action-for-Lazio-320x255.jpg.webp 320w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Taty-Castellanos-in-action-for-Lazio-414x330.jpg.webp 414w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Taty-Castellanos-in-action-for-Lazio-630x502.jpg.webp 630w\" data-sizes=\"(min-width:1230px) 237px, (min-width:1020px) 190px, (min-width:900px) 280px, (min-width:680px) 30vw, (min-width:414px) 125px, 30vw\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"956\" src=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Taty-Castellanos-in-action-for-Lazio.jpg\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-1641194 has-webp lazyload\" alt=\"Taty Castellanos in action for Lazio\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Taty-Castellanos-in-action-for-Lazio-190x151.jpg 190w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Taty-Castellanos-in-action-for-Lazio-245x195.jpg 245w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Taty-Castellanos-in-action-for-Lazio-320x255.jpg 320w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Taty-Castellanos-in-action-for-Lazio-414x330.jpg 414w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Taty-Castellanos-in-action-for-Lazio-630x502.jpg 630w\" data-sizes=\"(min-width:1230px) 237px, (min-width:1020px) 190px, (min-width:900px) 280px, (min-width:680px) 30vw, (min-width:414px) 125px, 30vw\"\/><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-container col-s-4\">\n<p>\t\t\t&#13;<\/p>\n<div class=\"img-cntr\"><picture><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1495\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-17.jpg\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-1658699 lazyload\" alt=\"Manchester United logo on corner flag and breaking news banner\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-17-190x114.jpg 190w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-17-245x147.jpg 245w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-17-320x193.jpg 320w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-17-414x249.jpg 414w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-17-630x379.jpg 630w\" data-sizes=\"(min-width:1230px) 237px, (min-width:1020px) 190px, (min-width:900px) 280px, (min-width:680px) 30vw, (min-width:414px) 125px, 30vw\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<h2>Gunners have momentum but Newcastle control the deal<\/h2>\n<p>The Times reports that Newcastle are expected to reject Arsenal\u2019s proposed \u00a370 million offer, despite the midfielder being keen on joining the Premier League champions. He is also expected to report for pre-season training if no breakthrough is reached.<\/p>\n<p>Chelsea\u2019s absence is a useful boost rather than a decisive turning point. Arsenal may now be the player\u2019s clearest destination, but Newcastle remain wealthy, hold his contract and do not need to accept a discounted fee.<\/p>\n<p>Guimar\u00e3es would immediately improve Arteta\u2019s midfield with his press resistance, passing range and competitive edge.<\/p>\n<p>However, Arsenal should not assume that being the only serious buyer allows them to dictate the price.<\/p>\n<p>A package approaching \u00a380 million with achievable add-ons could create room for compromise.<\/p>\n<p>If Newcastle continue demanding close to \u00a3100 million, Arsenal must decide whether the tactical improvement justifies such a major investment in a player approaching his 29th birthday.<\/p>\n<p><em><strong>Contact made: Chelsea ready to accept major loss on defender they signed in 2023 <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><!-- Article End -->\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Arsenal have received an important transfer boost in their pursuit of Newcastle United captain Bruno&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":203,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20934","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20934","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=20934"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20934\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/203"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=20934"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=20934"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=20934"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}