Arsenal have completed the £75million signing of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle.
The Brazilian becomes their fourth arrival of the transfer window after they made Piero Hincapie’s loan permanent and signed Christos Tzolis and Illan Meslier.
Guimaraes has signed a four-year deal with the option of a further 12 months.
Guimaraes said: ‘I feel good, I feel amazing. I’m glad for the opportunity. Since the first time I spoke to (Andrea) Berta and Mikel (Arteta), I was excited. I just felt inside of me that I need a new challenge in my life and I think to be an Arsenal player is going to be an exciting challenge in my life.
‘Well I think, after playing two World Cups, I think I’m at the point of my life, I think I need a challenge like this. I want to win trophies, I want to make history and I think I’m in the right place to do it. I’m so excited to start. We have tough games to play this season, so the squad is going to be very, very important and I’m hopeful we can achieve our dreams.
‘Big Gabi (Gabriel) was very excited. Every time he sent me the message, “We’ll wait for you, when will you come?” I’m so excited to join them, not only the Brazilians, we have an amazing squad here.
‘(Declan) Rice sent me a message: “Come here and please no more fights, now we’re friends”. I was happy he messaged me, but the midfield we have here, in my point of view, is one of the best in Europe. Everyone is an amazing player, I’m so excited to start chatting and play, and know the players very, very well, but we have an amazing midfield.’
Arsenal have completed the £75million signing of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United
Mikel Arteta hugs his new arrival after the Premier League champions bolster their midfield
Sporting director Andrea Berta said: ‘We are delighted to welcome Bruno Guimaraes to our club.
‘Bruno is a player with a great mentality and great quality, who will bring strong leadership to our squad.
‘With Bruno joining us, we are further strengthening the heart of our team. As we have all seen, Bruno can play as a defensive midfielder and as a box-to-box player. He combines quality with quantity, and has provided goals and assists for his team every year.
‘Bruno will allow Mikel to further develop our playing style and will also increase our internal competitiveness, which is essential for maintaining the standards required when we are aiming to win major trophies.’
His arrival at the Emirates takes their summer spend to around £145m as they look to build on last season’s Premier League title and Champions League final.
But the move is another complication for Newcastle, who had already sold Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali this window before Eddie Howe stepped down as manager.
Guimaraes has been an important player for the Magpies ever since joining for £40m in 2022.
But the 28-year-old told them in July that he wants to join Arsenal.
Daily Mail Sport revealed on June 25 that the Magpies were braced for an offer from the Gunners after leading agents were instructed to explore the Brazilian’s options.
The World Cup star had two years remaining on his contract at St James’ Park, plus the option of an extra year, hence Newcastle were able to command a strong fee.
Mikel Arteta has been keen to strengthen his central midfield options despite already having Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Eberechi Eze and Fabio Vieira.
