Arsenal have taken the next step in their pursuit of Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes.
The Gunners have been linked with several midfielders over the last two months, but it seems pretty clear that the Brazilian is Mikel Arteta’s top target.
Arsenal made two bids for Guimaraes through intermediaries, first worth £55 million and the second worth £65 million. They were both rejected.
Now, the Premier League champions have formalised a third bid, and they have already agreed personal terms with the player as well.
That agreement is said to include a crazy release clause in the contract.
💰 Bruno Guimaraes is turning 29 in November and has TWO years left on his contract… How much should Arsenal pay to sign him?
Arsenal make a third bid for Bruno Guimaraes and agree release clause in his contract
Arsenal are serious in their pursuit of Bruno Guimaraes.
Newcastle are desperate to keep hold of their skipper, having already sold Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon for big money.
However, Arsenal are not giving up, and RTI Esporte in Brazil have now revealed that a third bid has gone in from the Gunners.
The improved offer is said to be worth €85 million (£72.5m), of which €80 million (£68.3m) is guaranteed and a further €5 million (£4.2m) has been offered in the form of add-ons.
Arsenal are hoping that the third bid will do the trick, and Guimaraes’s agent, Giuliano Bertolucci, is already in England to strike a deal.
Furthermore, the report claims that personal terms between the two parties over a five-year deal have been completely agreed.
What’s interesting, however, is that Arsenal have agreed to insert a release clause worth a whopping €150 million (£128m) in the deal, should the move go through.
That is very unusual as the Gunners never really accept such a condition.
Bruno Guimaraes posted this video about Arsenal in 2022. Do you still want to sign him?
€150m release clause for Bruno Guimaraes is meaningless
Release clauses are often inserted in contracts to help facilitate a move for a player without the interference of his current club if a certain amount is to be paid.
If the news about Arsenal agreeing to a €150 million release clause for Guimaraes is accurate, it really makes no sense.
The Brazilian is already 28 and will be 29 later this year. Once he gets into his thirties, no club in their right mind would even consider paying €150 million for his signature.
Even though it’s a flashy figure to throw around, the clause really makes no sense for either Arsenal or Guimaraes.
However, it hurts neither party, so it should make no difference.
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