Arsenal signed Guimaraes for a reported £75 million ($101 million, roughly €87 million) on a four-year deal with a one-year option.
Sporting director Ross Wilson said the club did not plan to sell Guimaraes and that ownership did not want the transfer.
Guimaraes made 195 appearances and scored 31 goals for Newcastle after joining in January 2022, captaining the side to the 2025 League Cup.
Olympique Lyonnais will receive €6-7 million from the transfer due to a 20% sell-on clause, per The Athletic.
Arsenal announced the signing of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United on Saturday. The 28-year-old Brazil international signed a four-year contract with an option for a further year. British media reported the fee at around £75 million ($101 million, roughly €87 million). The move adds one of the Premier League's most influential midfielders to Mikel Arteta's squad as Arsenal seek to retain their league title and strengthen their European challenge.
Guimaraes said he felt the need for a new challenge and was excited to join Arsenal.
“Since the first time I spoke to Berta and Mikel, 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.”
Newcastle sporting director Ross Wilson said the club did not want to sell their captain and that the transfer was not part of their summer strategy.
“We didn't want to sell Bruno. It wasn't in the plan to sell Bruno. None of us, or ownership, wanted to sell Bruno.”
Wilson added that Guimaraes had respectfully told the club he wanted to leave.
Guimaraes joined Newcastle from Olympique Lyonnais in January 2022 and made 195 appearances, scoring 31 goals. He captained the side to League Cup success in 2025, ending the club's long wait for domestic silverware. He played for Brazil at the 2026 World Cup, registering four assists.
Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta praised Guimaraes' versatility and competitiveness.
“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.”
The Guardian reported that Guimaraes' £75 million move is the most expensive transfer for a midfielder aged at least 28. He was penalised for 45 fouls in the league last season and has suffered 410 fouls in the Premier League, more than 100 more than anyone else during his time in England.
According to The Athletic, Olympique Lyonnais will receive between €6 million and €7 million from the transfer, as the French club holds a 20% sell-on clause on the profit from any future sale. Guimaraes originally joined Newcastle from Lyon in January 2022 for nearly €50 million.
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Arsenal have signed Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United on a four-year contract with a one-year option, for a reported fee of £75 million ($101 million).
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