Arsenal are on the verge of finalising a £75 million transfer for Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimarães, securing his move from Newcastle United ahead of the new season.
The addition bolsters a midfield already comprising Declan Rice, Martin Ødegaard, Mikel Merino, Eberechi Eze, Myles Lewis‑Skelly and Martin Zubimendi, a group that helped the club claim the Premier League title last campaign.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher voiced concerns that Guimarães’s arrival could marginalise Zubimendi, who has struggled for regular minutes since his £60 million switch from Real Sociedad.
Carragher noted his preference for former Newcastle teammate Sandro Tonali, arguing that Tonali’s pace and mobility would better complement Arsenal’s style of play.
He questioned Guimarães’s ability to sustain a high‑tempo system, citing a propensity to be fouled and a tendency to slow the game’s rhythm.
Carragher also raised uncertainty over Declan Rice’s future role, suggesting the new signing might assume a holding midfield position while Rice adapts away from his traditional box‑to‑box duties.
Former French international Claude Makelele praised Guimarães as an ambitious player whose skill set aligns with Arsenal’s ambition to compete consistently in the Champions League.
Makelele highlighted the club’s recent domestic success and deep European runs as evidence that Arsenal provides an ideal platform for a player of Guimarães’s quality.
Arsenal will begin their Premier League title defence on 21 August against newly promoted Coventry City.
