Bruno Guimarães has officially completed his £75 million move from Newcastle United to Arsenal, with the Brazil international declaring that he wants to win trophies and create history at the Premier League champions.
The 28-year-old midfielder was unveiled as an Arsenal player on Saturday, August 8, 2026, following an agreement between the two English top-flight clubs earlier in the week. The transfer brings to an end Guimarães’ four-and-a-half-year spell at Newcastle, where he developed into one of the club’s most influential players and eventually became captain.
Guimarães has signed a four-year contract with Arsenal, with an option for an additional 12 months. The reported £75 million fee makes the Brazilian one of the most significant additions to Arsenal’s squad ahead of the new campaign.
Speaking after completing the move, Guimarães made it clear that ambition was central to his decision to leave Newcastle for Arsenal.
The midfielder said he felt the transfer represented an important new challenge at this stage of his career, particularly after representing Brazil at two World Cups.
Guimarães said he was excited from his earliest conversations with Arsenal and believes the London club provides the right environment for him to pursue major honours.
“I want to win trophies, I want to make history,” he said, explaining his motivation for joining the Gunners.
His arrival is expected to significantly strengthen Arsenal’s midfield options as the club prepares to defend its Premier League title and compete on multiple fronts.
Arsenal have assembled an experienced midfield group featuring players such as Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard, Martín Zubimendi, Mikel Merino and Myles Lewis-Skelly. Guimarães now adds another versatile option capable of operating in both defensive and box-to-box roles.
Arsenal Sporting Director, Andrea Berta, welcomed the Brazilian and described his arrival as another step towards strengthening the centre of the team.
Berta highlighted Guimarães’ ability to perform in different midfield positions, as well as his contribution in terms of goals and assists.
The Sporting Director also pointed to the competitive value of having another high-level midfielder available to the coaching staff, particularly for a side attempting to maintain its standards while competing for major silverware.
Guimarães arrives at Arsenal with a strong reputation built during his time at Newcastle. He joined the Magpies from French club, Lyon, in January 2022 and quickly established himself as a key member of the team.
His importance to Newcastle increased steadily, eventually leading to his appointment as club captain.
The Brazilian made 195 appearances for Newcastle and scored 31 goals during his time on Tyneside. His performances also earned him the club’s Player of the Year award for the 2025/26 campaign. Newcastle confirmed that he had been their leading Premier League scorer during that season, with nine goals, while also providing eight assists.
His Newcastle career was also marked by a major piece of silverware.
Guimarães played an important role as Newcastle ended a lengthy wait for a major trophy by winning the 2025 League Cup. His contribution helped transform him from an important signing into one of the club’s most popular and recognisable players.
His departure therefore represents a significant change for Newcastle, particularly after a summer in which the club has already seen other prominent players leave.
Guimarães is the latest major name to depart St. James’ Park, following the exits of Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali. Newcastle have consequently undergone considerable change ahead of the new season, including a managerial transition after Eddie Howe’s departure and the appointment of German coach, Matthias Jaissle.
Newcastle had initially been reluctant to lose their captain. Reports indicated that Arsenal’s first proposal was rejected before both clubs eventually reached a compromise on the £75 million package.
Guimarães’ desire to take on a new challenge ultimately played an important role in the negotiations. He had reportedly made his intention to join Arsenal clear after the clubs opened discussions.
The transfer is also the latest chapter in Arsenal’s long-standing interest in the midfielder. The Gunners had previously considered signing Guimarães before he moved from Lyon to Newcastle in 2022.
Four years later, Arsenal have finally secured his signature, bringing an end to a pursuit that had stretched across several transfer windows.
For Arsenal, the deal represents an investment in immediate quality rather than simply long-term potential. At 28, Guimarães brings Premier League experience, international pedigree and familiarity with the physical demands of English football.
His versatility could also give Arsenal greater flexibility during a season expected to involve a demanding schedule.
The Brazilian is capable of playing as a holding midfielder but can also operate further forward, giving the coaching staff additional tactical possibilities. His ability to combine passing, defensive work, physicality and attacking contributions has made him one of the league’s more complete midfielders.
His arrival could consequently intensify competition for midfield positions at Arsenal. With Rice, Zubimendi, Merino, Ødegaard and Lewis-Skelly already providing several options, Guimarães gives the team another experienced player capable of handling important matches.
Beyond his technical qualities, Arsenal will also expect the Brazilian’s leadership experience to prove valuable.
He arrives having captained Newcastle and having been recognised as the club’s outstanding player during the previous campaign. That experience could become particularly important as Arsenal attempt to maintain their position at the top of English football.
Guimarães, meanwhile, appears determined to embrace the expectations that come with his new surroundings.
After helping Newcastle end a long trophy drought, he now moves to a club with even greater expectations and ambitions. Arsenal’s status as reigning Premier League champions means the midfielder will immediately be expected to contribute to another title challenge.
His own objective is clear: collect more trophies and leave a lasting mark.
The £75 million transfer also underlines Arsenal’s determination to strengthen their squad rather than rest on last season’s success. Guimarães’ experience and versatility could prove especially useful as the club balances domestic competition with its wider ambitions.
For Newcastle supporters, his departure marks the end of an important era. Guimarães arrived when the club was still developing into a stronger Premier League force and became a central figure in its transformation.
For Arsenal, however, the move opens a new chapter.
The Brazilian midfielder now has the opportunity to compete alongside some of the Premier League’s leading players while pursuing the silverware he says he wants.
With the new season approaching, Guimarães will now turn his attention to settling into his new team and adapting to Arsenal’s demands.
His message upon arrival leaves little doubt about what he expects from the move: he has joined Arsenal not merely for a change of scenery, but because he believes the club offers him the opportunity to win major trophies and make history.