Bruno Guimaraes set for Arsenal transfer as Odegaard exits in midfield overhaul

Arsenal are eyeing Bruno Guimaraes as a £100m midfield upgrade, with Martin Odegaard’s exit linked to a squad reshuffle that could hand Declan Rice the captain’s armband.

The Gunners sealed their first top-flight title in 22 years on 18 May, but the Emirates Stadium hierarchy knows they must keep pushing. Rivals are circling, and the engine room needs fresh legs and creativity. That’s where Guimaraes fits: the Brazilian is a proven Premier League performer after five seasons at Newcastle, and reports suggest he’s open to a new challenge.

What’s the Arsenal plan for Bruno Guimaraes?

Arsenal would open talks if a deal can be agreed, but a fee between £80m and £100m may be needed to prise him from Newcastle. The Gunners are hunting defensive and attacking reinforcements too, but midfield remains the priority. Guimaraes, 28, offers both energy and goal threat: traits Arsenal’s current setup lacks.

Former Arsenal forward Jeremie Aliadiere, speaking to *Goal* via ToonieBet, said: “Guimaraes is a top player, top level. Where would he fit? It’s hard to say because you’ve got Declan Rice there, Martin Odegaard who’s played well, and Eberechi Eze who can do a great job. Would you put him as the six? I don’t know because Guimaraes loves to go forward and score.”

Could Martin Odegaard be sold to make room?

Odegaard’s future is tangled in the midfield logjam. The Norwegian lifted the Premier League trophy weeks after being stripped of the captaincy in a fan-driven debate. Aliadiere added: “Arsenal fans have debated whether Odegaard should keep the armband. Maybe the solution is if he wants to leave, the club gets a good fee, and then Declan Rice takes over.”

The Gunners are also linked with Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, further crowding the midfield picture. Odegaard’s injury-prone spell under Mikel Arteta has fueled speculation he could be moved on to fund other moves.

How would Guimaraes fit in Arsenal’s system?

Guimaraes thrives as a box-to-box midfielder, a role Arsenal’s current trio: Rice, Odegaard, and Eze: already occupy. Aliadiere’s take: “Mikel Arteta will have to figure out how to make it work. But having extra quality is never a bad thing.”

The Brazilian’s arrival would demand a tactical tweak, likely pushing Odegaard out or shifting Rice deeper. His ability to break lines and chip in with goals adds a dimension Arsenal’s midfield currently lacks.

What happens next in the transfer race?

Arsenal’s window opens on 14 August, but the Guimaraes pursuit could drag into late summer. Newcastle’s asking price: up to £100m: reflects his status as a first-team regular and Brazil international. The Gunners’ hierarchy must balance the fee against Odegaard’s potential exit and Rice’s captaincy handover.

For Guimaraes, a move to Arsenal would cap a remarkable rise from Lyon’s reserves to Newcastle’s title-winning side. For Arsenal, it’s a high-stakes gamble on a player who could define their next era.