Bruno Guimaraes confirms he’s joined up with Newcastle as Brazil star posts update amid Arsenal transfer battle

BRUNO GUIMARAES has confirmed that he has joined up with Newcastle despite Arsenal pursuing his signature. The Brazilian midfielder is one of the Gunners’ top targets this summer ahead of their Premier League title defence. Bruno Guimaraes has joined up with Newcastle in Spain Credit: instagram @brunoguimaraes Guimaraes is wanted in a transfer by Arsenal Credit: Alamy Guimaraes, 28, has touched down in Spain to reunite with his Newcastle team-mates. The midfielder shared a picture on Instagram of the club’s hotel in La Manga. Sign up for the Arsenal newsletter Thank you! He is a late arrival for the Magpies’ pre-season due to his commitments at the World Cup with the Selecao. Arsenal have finally made a formal offer for the star but it has been rebuffed. SunSport understands the expectation is that Guimaraes will get his wish and move to the Emirates before the end of the transfer window. Talks have been taking place through intermediaries for weeks, and it is thought Newcastle are holding out for around £80million. The Samba ace was expected to meet with new boss Matthias Jaissle and sporting director Ross Wilson in La Manga. Guimaraes, however, has his heart set on joining Arsenal and following Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali out the door. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS The Gunners just need to finalise a fee for the midfielder, as personal terms will not be an issue. Back on Tyneside, all references to Guimaraes appear to have been removed from St James’ Park. Banners showing the star posing in the club’s new kit have reportedly been replaced by banners with other stars, per The Mag. Arsenal are also chasing Guimaraes’ Brazil team-mate, Vinicius Junior. The electric winger was all smiles as he returned to Real Madrid ahead of crunch talks over his future. He has entered the final year of his eye-watering £400,000-a-week Bernabeu deal. The transfer for Vinicius will be far more challenging and hinges on whether he turns down the chance to stay at Real Madrid. The Spanish giants have been trying to tie him down for over a year, but no agreement has been found. Vinicius Junior is also back with Real Madrid Credit: Getty Arsenal are waiting in the wings and believe they can offer an attractive package, if Vinicius refuses to sign an extension in the Spanish capital. Mikel Arteta was bullish on the club’s transfer plans after their 4-1 win over Girona last Saturday. The Gunners boss said: “We are already active and trying to improve on and evolve the team. That is clear. “We expect to have movements in the next few weeks. Obviously we want to get better like anyone else and you can see the transfer market, and our opponents, what we are doing. “We won’t sit still and we are very ambitious with where we want to go.” Arsenal have already signed a left winger this summer, splashing out £34million on Club Brugge winger Christos Tzolis. The Greek star, who scored in the win over Girona, is ready to fight for his place and not worried by Arsenal target Vinicius. Tzolis said: “Obviously I’m confident as a player, so I don’t think about the future and what the club will do in this position.” Comment now