ARSENAL AGREE £77M DEAL FOR NEWCASTLE MIDFIELDER GUIMARAES

Arsenal have reached an agreement in principle to sign Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United for £77m, according to reports. The transfer fee is understood to be in excess of £75m by one account. Arsenal plan to conduct a medical examination next week, subject to the deal proceeding. Guimaraes currently serves as captain at Newcastle.

Newcastle have experienced significant departures during the current transfer window, with Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali also leaving the club. The club's manager Eddie Howe has resigned from his position, with Matthias Jaissle set to replace him. Newcastle are seeking midfield replacements and have identified Joao Palhinha as a target, according to ESPN journalist Bruno Andrade. Palhinha recently completed a loan spell at Tottenham Hotspur and has since returned to Bayern Munich, where he has no future at the club.

Newcastle have already added four players to their squad this summer: Ewen Jaouen, Seun Steur, Bazoumana Toure and Aladji Bamba. The club are understood to be negotiating with two midfielders, with one deal reported to be more advanced than the other. The departures represent a significant reshaping of Newcastle's squad during a turbulent transfer window.