Arsenal Targets Guimaraes Amid Newcastle's Froholdt Interest
Arsenal have made their move for Bruno Guimaraes. Newcastle have already said no once. The story is only just getting going.
The Gunners want the Brazilian midfielder to be their first flagship signing of the summer window and lodged an opening bid on Monday, only to see it rejected by Newcastle. That has not cooled Arsenal’s interest or the player’s.
Guimaraes, currently with his Newcastle team-mates at their pre-season camp in Spain, has made clear he wants the switch to north London, Standard Sport understands. Elsewhere it has been reported that the Brazil international has agreed personal terms on a five-year deal, underlining how advanced the player’s side of the move already is.
The expectation around the deal is growing. There is a belief on all sides that an agreement can be struck in the coming days. Arsenal sense an opportunity. Newcastle, quietly, are preparing for life without their midfield talisman.
Victor Froholdt
And this is where Victor Froholdt comes in.
O Jogo report that Newcastle have made their first concrete move for the Porto midfielder, contacting the Dane’s representatives to explore a transfer. No bid yet, no formal offer to Porto, but a clear signal of intent from St James’ Park as they test the waters.
It is a shrewd approach from a club that has been knocked back publicly more than once over the past year. Newcastle want to know whether Froholdt is even open to the idea before they go any further. Early signs are not straightforward.
Froholdt has previously stated he wants to stay where he is. Fresh from being named Primeira Liga’s Player of the Season, he has every reason to feel settled. His stock is high, Porto are competing for trophies, and he has a central role in a side chasing the title.
He has not been shy about it either.
“People talk about taking the next step, but for me Porto is already a huge club,” he said recently. “I am focused on the next league match. I like being here. Now we are going all out for the championship.”
Those words matter. So does his contract.
Porto have yet to receive any formal approach from Newcastle, and any negotiation would have to contend with Froholdt’s £73.4 million release clause. That figure alone turns this from a simple replacement plan into a complex, high-stakes deal.
For Newcastle, the equation is delicate. Lose Guimaraes and they lose not just a midfielder, but the heartbeat of Eddie Howe’s side. Move for Froholdt and they are immediately dealing with a club that knows exactly how valuable its star is and has the legal leverage to match.
For Arsenal, the picture is clearer. They have a player who wants to join, a contract framework reportedly agreed, and a rival club quietly scanning the market for cover. The pressure is on to find the number that finally forces Newcastle to say yes.
One Brazilian in demand, one Dane in the crosshairs, two clubs juggling ambition and financial reality. The next call between London, Newcastle and Porto will tell everyone just how serious this summer is about to become.
