Arsenal have agreed a £75million deal to sign Newcastle skipper Bruno Guimaraes, talkSPORT understands.
The 28-year-old has been heavily linked with a switch to the Emirates all summer, with Mikel Arteta identifying him as a priority target.
talkSPORT told you last month how the Brazil international had agreed personal terms with the Premier League champions.
And we also told you how the Gunners had been in advanced talks to secure the services of the ex-Lyon star.
Arsenal have faced no competition in their quest to sign Guimaraes, with rival clubs believing he would end up in north London.
Newcastle fans had begun to fear a deal with Arsenal was edging closer when the player asked to delay his pre-season travel plans.
Gunner get ya
And now Arsenal appear to have finally got their man having struck an agreement with the Magpies to bring an end to the summer saga.
Guimaraes is now set to leave their training camp in La Manga to undergo a medical ahead of his proposed summer switch.
Chelsea fan and talkSPORT co-host Rory Jennings has hailed Arsenal’s impending acquisition of Guimaraes – insisting it is the ‘perfect signing’.
He then said: “What you’re bringing in is, you’re bringing in a player that can play with Declan Rice.
“Declan Rice and Bruno Guimaraes as a midfield duo is about as intimidating as you can get.
“I’m talking not only in world football at the moment, I just can’t really think of two better midfielders that you could put next to each other at club level. Like it really is elite.”
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He then stressed: “I think Bruno Guimaraes signing for Arsenal, it’s so detrimental to everything that Newcastle United want to be, or at least profess that they want to be.
“And it is exactly the way that Arsenal should be manoeuvring, when you win the league, you are trusted with a power.
“A power is passed upon you, you are allowed to behave in a very bully-ish way, you are allowed to almost command.
“You can demand certain things from other Premier League clubs and what you can do is you can go and pick the best.
“This is exactly what they should be doing, going to sign a Premier League proven player who is also a Brazil international, from a rival, this is how you actually retain a league title.”
Guimaraes will become Arsenal’s fourth signing of the window as they look to successfully defend their Premier League crown for the first time.
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Piero Hincapie was the first to be announced, with his loan spell from Bayer Leverkusen being turned into a permanent stay in a £34.5m deal.
Goalkeeper Illan Meslier was then snapped up on a free transfer following his release at Leeds.
Greek winger Christos Tzolis was the next to arrive in a Belgian Pro League record of £34m, with the forward replacing Leandro Trossard after his £17m move to Besiktas.
And Arsenal remain in the market to bolster their squad, with the club prepared to make Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr their highest-paid player in club history.
Who has left Newcastle this window?
Guimaraes has become the latest high-profile player to depart St James’ Park ahead of the upcoming campaign.
Following Kieran Trippier’s release, Anthony Gordon was the next out of the door, with Barcelona signing him for £70m.
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Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali then departed in a £100m move to Tottenham.
Things then went from bad to worse for the Toon after Eddie Howe decided to step down after nearly five years in charge.
He will be replaced by Mattias Jaissle, who guided Saudi Pro League outfit Al Ahli to back-to-back AFC Champions League Elite titles in the past two seasons.
And cult hero Joelinton could be the next to embark on a new adventure having told the club he wishes to leave.
