Arsenal reach agreement to sign Bruno Guimaraes as transfer domino effect emerges

Arsenal have finally reached an agreement to sign Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes - and the deal could have a knock-on effect for several Premier League clubs.

According to L'Equipe, the Gunners have had a bid worth around £77 million accepted by Newcastle, with bonuses and agent fees still to be determined.

The Athletic's David Ornstein reported earlier in July that Guimaraes had informed Magpies chiefs of his desire to leave the club, but that Arsenal had not yet made club-to-club contact over a move.

The Gunners have since had two bids rejected by Newcastle, who were believed to be holding out for close to £90 million for the Brazil international.

Eddie Howe, who has since left his role as Newcastle manager, told reporters on Wednesday that he hoped Guimaraes would stay at the club but could not offer any guarantees over his future.

Now a deal is almost fully agreed for what will be Arsenal's second summer signing, after they secured a £35 million deal to sign former Norwich winger Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge.

Guimaraes to Arsenal transfer domino effect

Part of Newcastle's insistence that they receive a greater transfer fee for Guimaraes is because part of it has to be paid to French side Lyon, who initially sold the midfielder to the Magpies in January 2022.

That agreement, worth an initial fee of up to £40 million, guaranteed Lyon would receive 20 per cent of any profit from the 28-year-old's next transfer.

The Ligue 1 side will therefore be entitled to around £8 million, or potentially more if achievable add-ons are inserted into the deal with Arsenal.

That sum will be a key boost for Lyon, who encountered major financial issues last summer that almost resulted in the club being relegated to Ligue 2 and expelled from European competition.

They were forced to agree to a set of specific conditions laid out by UEFA's Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) in order to avoid missing out on Europe for the upcoming season.

Lyon went on to finish in fourth place in Ligue 1 last season under Paulo Fonseca, ensuring they will enter this season's Champions League at the third qualifying round stage.

But their financial problems have led to speculation that a number of players could leave the club this summer, with young winger Malick Fofana linked with a potential move to Spurs.

Leeds, meanwhile, are believed to be interested in signing Czech Republic forward Pavel Sulc, who can also play in midfield and scored 11 league goals last term.

Their financial boost from Newcastle's Guimaraes sale, though, could allow them to up their asking price for both players - and for any other stars who may attract interest from elsewhere.

As for Guimaraes, he is set to add to Arsenal's Brazilian contingent, which already includes Gabriel Magalhaes, Gabriel Martinelli and Gabriel Jesus. The former two players were named in Brazil's World Cup squad this summer.