Bruno Guimaraes Gets Surprise Reason for Choosing Arsenal Transfer Over Man United
Newcastle finished in a disappointing 12th place in the Premier League last season, meaning they will not play in the Champions League in the 2026/27 season.
Bruno Guimares celebrating during past match. Photo: Courtesy.
By Robert Mutasi
Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes has been advised to snub a potential move to Manchester United this summer and pick Arsenal instead – because he would get more playing time with the Premier League champions.
The Brazilian, 28, is a key target for the Gunners this summer as he looks set to leave Newcastle United after four years on Tyneside. Arsenal have been admirers of the 28-year-old ever since his move to Newcastle from Lyon back in January 2022, and manager Mikel Arteta is keen to add another midfielder to his ranks to help lighten the load on Declan Rice, with doubts over Martin Zubimendi’s long-term future at the club.
The midfielder is keen to leave St James’ Park this summer. The main reason is Champions League football. Newcastle finished in a disappointing 12th place in the Premier League last season, meaning they will not play in the Champions League in the 2026/27 season. Guimaraes, who is in the prime of his career, wants to play at the highest level.
Guimaraes enjoyed a fine World Cup with Brazil, registering four assists for the Selecao, although he missed a penalty in their 2-1 defeat to Norway as they were knocked out in the last-16 knockout round. Once his extended break is over, his focus will be sorting out his future and preparing for the upcoming Premier League campaign.
Manchester United have also been credited with a strong interest in Guimaraes, with Newcastle not prepared to sell for a fee under £90 million. However, United have already been busy in the midfield market, signing Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa to bolster their midfield to play alongside Kobbie Mainoo.
This is where the surprise advice comes from. Former Arsenal and Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre believes Guimaraes would actually struggle to get into Michael Carrick’s starting XI at Manchester United as a result of those signings, and that Arsenal would be a better fit.
“I don’t think Manchester United need another top midfield player like Guimaraes after signing Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos to play with Kobbie Mainoo,” Silvestre said, speaking to Grosvenor Sport.
“Guimaraes will always want to start. When you are starting for the Brazil national team, you need to be starting for your club. So I think Arsenal would be a better fit for him.”
Silvestre also believes Guimaraes offers something different to Arsenal’s current midfielders. Last season, Guimaraes enjoyed his best attacking returns in a league campaign since joining Newcastle, scoring nine goals and delivering seven assists in 29 appearances.
The Frenchman said Guimaraes has attributes that his potential teammates Martin Zubimendi and Myles Lewis-Skelly are missing. He said Zubimendi is a different kind of player who cannot break lines with running, while Lewis-Skelly can. Guimaraes can do both, plus he is more aggressive than Zubimendi.
“If you want to reach the final of the Champions League again and defend your title, you need bodies, and it would make a lot of sense for Arsenal to bring in Guimaraes,” Silvestre added.
Arsenal have already made two summer signings, making Piero Hincapie’s loan from Bayer Leverkusen a permanent switch and capturing goalkeeper Illan Meslier on a free transfer following his release from Leeds United. Christos Tzolis is poised to become the third after Arsenal struck a £34 million agreement with Club Brugge. And Guimaraes would certainly add to that excitement if he arrives.
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