Arsenal prepares £70 million for Bruno Guimarães, while Saliba's injury intensifies interest in Ezri Konsa
According to reports published by the British media on 24 and 25 July 2026, Arsenal are ready to test Newcastle United's resolve with an offer of approximately £70 million for Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimarães. Newcastle's captain has been linked with a possible move to London for weeks, and some sources claim that he has agreed basic personal terms with Arsenal or that they would not represent an obstacle. However, there is still no agreement between the interested club and Newcastle, and the transfer has not been officially confirmed. Newcastle do not want to sell their captain and are expected to reject the opening offer, especially because the media value him considerably higher than the amount Arsenal are reportedly preparing.
At the same time, the London club are considering signing England international Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa. Interest in the 28-year-old defender gained additional significance after Arsenal confirmed on 22 July that William Saliba would be sidelined for an extended period because of a back injury. In this case too, negotiations are only a possible next stage: media reports point to a large difference between Arsenal's valuation and the price Aston Villa would be prepared to accept. For that reason, both potential transfers currently have to be viewed as serious but unfinished operations in the summer transfer window.
An offer of £70 million would probably not be enough
According to The Times and London's Standard, Arsenal are preparing an offer worth around £70 million, but Newcastle are ready to reject such a proposal. The club from the northeast of England consider Guimarães one of the team's key players and are publicly showing no desire to sell him. Earlier reports from The Guardian stated that the Brazilian was open to joining Arsenal and had informed Newcastle of his wish, but at the same time there were no indications that he intended to provoke an open conflict with the club. Such a position leaves room for negotiations, but does not give Arsenal control over the process: Newcastle can insist on a higher fee or completely close the door on the transfer.
Claims that personal terms have already been agreed currently come from media sources rather than official announcements by the clubs or the player. In transfer negotiations, an agreement in principle with the player does not mean that the deal is close to completion, because the club holding his contract still has to accept the amount, payment structure, add-ons and other terms. According to available reports, Guimarães has two years remaining on his contract, with an option to extend it for an additional season, so Newcastle are under no immediate pressure to sell him. His former £100 million release clause expired on 30 June 2024, meaning that there is currently no predetermined amount with which Arsenal could automatically trigger the transfer.
The difference between £70 million and Newcastle's expected price is therefore the central obstacle. Some media outlets mention a valuation close to £100 million, while others state that talks might become more serious only with an offer exceeding £75 million. None of those figures has been officially confirmed, but they all point to the same conclusion: Newcastle want to maintain the upper hand in negotiations. If Arsenal want to complete the deal, they would probably have to increase the guaranteed portion of the fee, offer achievable bonuses or find a different structure that would satisfy Newcastle's sporting and financial demands.
Why Guimarães is so important to Newcastle
Guimarães joined Newcastle from Lyon in January 2022 and, within a short period, became one of the symbols of the club's new era. Newcastle describe him on their official website as an exceptionally popular figure, while manager Eddie Howe entrusted him with the captain's armband. The club also named him their player of the season for 2025/26, which further explains why the possibility of selling him is not viewed solely through the size of the transfer fee. His departure would mean losing the creative and combative centre of the midfield, as well as a player who holds an important role in the dressing room.
The Brazilian has developed into a midfielder capable of participating in build-up play, pressing after possession is lost and organising the game in both phases. Such a combination of qualities fits Arsenal's need for a technically secure player who can operate alongside Declan Rice, take on part of the responsibility for distributing the ball and maintain high intensity without possession. In a team that often attacks against deep defensive blocks, the ability to accelerate play with vertical passes is important, as is stopping counterattacks at the right moment. Guimarães would bring Arsenal Premier League experience, which would probably make his adaptation easier than that of a player arriving in the English league for the first time.
For Newcastle, the broader context of the summer changes is also a problem. The Guardian reported that the club had already lost several important footballers and that Howe wanted to retain Guimarães as a cornerstone of the team during the rebuilding period. Newcastle have simultaneously invested in younger players and changed the structure of the squad, but the captain's departure after other major sales would increase the risk of losing experience and continuity. Precisely for that reason, even a high offer may not be enough if the sporting leadership concludes that a suitable replacement cannot be found quickly.
The financial picture is not one-sided. According to The Guardian, Newcastle are operating under a three-year agreement with UEFA following breaches of European spending rules, which increases the importance of sustainable business practices. On the other hand, major sales completed earlier in the summer may have reduced the immediate need for another outgoing transfer. Selling Guimarães would generate a substantial accounting profit compared with the amount invested when he arrived, but it would also weaken the team. The decision will therefore also depend on whether Newcastle can turn the proceeds into reinforcements capable of immediately replacing his contribution.
Arsenal are looking for another level of quality in midfield
Arsenal's interest shows that, despite the existing quality in the middle of the pitch, the club want to further expand their options for the 2026/27 season. Guimarães can play as a deeper-lying organiser, but also slightly higher up, where he could contribute in the final third and press the opposition's defence. Such flexibility would allow coach Mikel Arteta to use different combinations without a major drop in intensity. In a long season, with domestic competitions and European commitments, the quality of rotation is often just as important as the strength of the ideal starting line-up.
The potential transfer nevertheless raises questions. Guimarães turns 29 in November 2026, meaning Arsenal would be spending a very large amount on a player in his prime but without the long-term market prospects offered by younger signings. The club would therefore have to assess his immediate sporting value against the possibility of a later resale. That balance may explain why Arsenal are preparing a strong offer, but not one approaching the media-reported price of £100 million.
The player's own reaction will also be important. If Guimarães maintains his desire to leave, Newcastle will have to assess whether they can return their captain to a fully stable role or whether a sale, for the right amount, would be more rational in the long term. If, however, he publicly confirms his commitment to Newcastle, Arsenal's negotiating position would weaken. Until then, information about his personal terms and preferences remains part of transfer reporting rather than a final decision.
Saliba's injury has changed the defensive priorities
Arsenal announced on 22 July that Saliba had undergone specialist examinations in London after returning from the World Cup. According to the club's official medical statement, a back injury requiring rehabilitation was confirmed, but surgery was not recommended. Arsenal did not announce a precise return date, stating only that the French defender would be sidelined for an extended period and would immediately begin a controlled recovery programme. Such uncertainty complicates planning because the start of the new season arrives before the club can rely on a dependable assessment of his return to full competitive rhythm.
Saliba has been one of the foundations of Arsenal's defence in recent seasons. His speed, ability to defend space and composure when carrying the ball out allow the team to defend high and keep a large number of players in the opposition half. A replacement for that profile is not needed merely because of the number of available centre-backs, but also to preserve the team's style of play. If Arsenal do not have a defender capable of covering a large area behind the back line, the entire team may be forced to play more cautiously.
The Guardian reported as early as 16 July that Arsenal were monitoring Konsa as a possible defensive option, and the interest became more relevant after the seriousness of Saliba's problem was confirmed. Konsa has experience playing in central defence and at right-back, which would give Arteta additional tactical flexibility. His versatility is particularly important in a team that changes shape during matches, with a full-back able to move into midfield while one centre-back remains exposed to a larger area. The England international is also already familiar with the demands of the Premier League, so the adaptation risk would be lower.
Aston Villa have no reason to accept a low offer
Konsa joined Aston Villa from Brentford in the summer of 2019 and gradually became a regular member of the defence. In September 2023, the club officially announced that he had signed a new long-term contract, while media reports in the summer of 2026 state that he has two years remaining on his deal. That gives Aston Villa a strong negotiating position. The club are not forced to accept the first offer, especially for a player capable of covering two positions and who has experience at international level.
According to several British reports, Arsenal value Konsa at approximately £35 million, while Aston Villa expect at least £50 million, with an even higher amount mentioned in some places. Those figures are not official, but they describe a significant gap that is currently hindering progress. For Arsenal, paying £50 million or more for a defender who might not initially have a guaranteed place after Saliba's return would be a major investment. For Villa, selling at a lower price would mean losing an important player without enough room to find a comparable replacement.
Konsa's value does not arise solely from his defensive qualities. His ability to play on the right side could reduce the need for a separate signing at full-back, while his experience in systems using a high defensive line would make it easier for him to fit Arsenal's requirements. Nevertheless, the interest does not mean that he is the only option. Arsenal can use the negotiations as part of a broader search, comparing the price, age, availability and tactical compatibility of several candidates.
Aston Villa must also weigh the sporting value of keeping the player against the potential profit from a sale. During the summer transfer window, clubs often publicly adopt firm positions, while the actual room for agreement opens only once a formal offer arrives. In Konsa's case, there is still no official confirmation that such an offer has been submitted. It is therefore more realistic to speak of preparation and testing the conditions than of the final stage of a transfer.
Two major deals, but different negotiating dynamics
Guimarães and Konsa represent two different types of Arsenal need. The Brazilian would be expected to raise the maximum quality of the midfield and immediately compete for a place in the strongest line-up. Konsa, meanwhile, would provide security during Saliba's absence and long-term depth in defence. The shared obstacle is the fact that neither Newcastle nor Aston Villa have an obvious need to sell under the terms set by Arsenal.
According to the demands mentioned in media reports, the combined value of the two possible transfers could considerably exceed £120 million. That would affect Arsenal's other plans, including potential attacking reinforcements and the management of departures from the existing squad. The club therefore have to decide whether the priority is an elite midfielder, defensive cover or a more balanced distribution of the budget across several positions. Saliba's injury increases the urgency of a defensive deal, while Guimarães's availability may represent an opportunity that does not arise often.
The Premier League summer transfer window is open until 11 p.m. British Summer Time on 1 September 2026, according to the competition's official announcement. That leaves clubs more than a month for negotiations, but time does not work in the same way for all parties. Arsenal want to integrate new signings into preparations as early as possible, Newcastle need to know whether they must search for a replacement for their captain, and Aston Villa do not want to lose an important defender immediately before the start of the season.
For now, the most firmly confirmed fact is that Arsenal have a serious reason to seek defensive reinforcements because of Saliba's injury, while the details concerning offers, personal terms and transfer valuations remain within the realm of media reports. Guimarães remains a Newcastle player, and Konsa a member of Aston Villa. Until one of the clubs announces an agreement or an official offer, both cases will continue to develop as negotiating stories in which the players' wishes, the price and time are equally important.
Sources:
- The Times – report on Arsenal's preparation of a £70 million offer and Newcastle's expected rejection (link)
- The Guardian – information about Guimarães's desire to move, his contract and Newcastle's position (link)
- Newcastle United – official profile of Bruno Guimarães and confirmation of his role as captain (link)
- Newcastle United – official announcement naming Guimarães the player of the season for 2025/26 (link)
- Arsenal FC – official medical statement on William Saliba's back injury and planned rehabilitation (link)
- The Guardian – report on Arsenal's interest in Ezri Konsa following Saliba's injury (link)
- Aston Villa – official confirmation of Konsa's long-term contract and his status in the team (link)
- Premier League – official dates of the 2026 summer transfer window (link)