Arsenal set to test Newcastle’s resolve with £70m bid for Bruno Guimaraes after star told the club he wants to LEAVE to join Premier League champions

Arsenal are ready to make a £70million offer for Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes.

The Brazil international has told Newcastle he wishes to speak to the Premier League champions if they can agree a fee.

Newcastle have maintained he is not for sale and have been frustrated by proposals coming from his agents so far rather than official bids.

The Magpies, though, are aware of the 28-year-old’s preference to join Arsenal this summer but would need a greater sum to convince them to sell.

There is understood to be other Premier League interest in Guimaraes.

Arsenal have effectively been told ‘to put up or shut up’ in their pursuit of the midfielder, who played 41 times for Newcastle last season, scoring nine goals.

All discussions so far have come from the Brazilian midfielder’s agent and Newcastle are becoming increasingly agitated by what they view as a ‘tactical process’ with the player becoming distracted by the speculation over his future which is being played out in public.

Arsenal have been led to believe a deal for the 28-year-old can be achieved for around £75million but Newcastle would need more than that to be persuaded. They have had no formal offers from the Premier League champions and would point to the increasing market rate for midfielders.

The onus is firmly on sporting director Andrea Berta coming to the table with a proper offer. 

Guimaraes has two years to run on his contract but Newcastle have an option to extend by 12 months, offering them some protection.

Mikel Arteta is keen to strengthen his midfield ahead of the club’s title defence and they have identified Guimaraes, who has been on duty at the World Cup, as their main target. After five seasons on Tyneside, he wants a new challenge.

Newcastle will be keen to avoid a drawn-out saga, like Alexander Isak last summer, and the onus is now on Arsenal to make an official offer.