Bruno Guimaraes has been 'tapped up' as Arsenal accused of 'illegal' approach
Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes has been tapped up by Arsenal amid his desire to join the champions this summer.
That is the opinion of experienced former Aston Villa, Tottenham and Everton scout, Bryan King, speaking exclusively to Football Insider.
The 28-year-old has reportedly asked to join the Gunners this summer, although the Magpies are determined to resist all offers.
Guimaraes has two years remaining on his contract with an option of a third, but is likely keen to take what he may see among his final chances to join a club capable of winning the Premier League.
Newcastle have already lost Sandro Tonali from their midfield this summer, and would be unlikely to accept a fee for their captain worth much less than the £100million they accepted from Tottenham.
It remains unclear if Arsenal would be willing to pay a fee in that region, as they look to strengthen their midfield depth.
Bruno Guimaraes 'tapped up' by Arsenal
Within football, it is an accepted reality that players are constantly tapped up.
Technically, the act of contacting a player and his agent to discuss personal terms before getting permission from his club is an illegal act against rules set by FIFA and the Premier League.
However, it goes on almost constantly, with only rare instances of complaints. Nottingham Forest, for example, complained when Tottenham approached Morgan Gibbs-White last summer.
"If it's true that he wants to leave, then he's been tapped up, that's for sure, which is illegal," King told Football Insider.
"He's the idol of the Geordies, he's the idol of Newcastle United, he's the captain of the football club, and all of a sudden he wants to leave. Now, is it because there's been a shortage of trophies, although he won the League Cup with Newcastle?
"But if it's true that he does want to leave, and he's publicly stated that, and he's sent in a request to Newcastle that he wants to leave. If that becomes available to see then, as I say, he's been tapped up, and he's been tapped up either by another Premier League club of a higher status than Newcastle, or a top European club.
"For example, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Benfica. He's going to cost a lot of money. If he's got two years left on his contract, he's not going to just walk out the club."
Newcastle face harsh Guimaraes reality
Unfortunately for Newcastle, there may be a harsh reality that needs to be accepted when it comes to Guimaraes.
The 29-year-old was promised progress and success when he joined in 2022, but since winning the Carabao Cup, the Magpies have gone backwards.
The Brazil international will be 29 in November, and still has never won a league title.
With Newcastle's project seemingly dead in the water, Guimaraes may well have to be cut loose to achieve his goals.