Newcastle 'insiders' share latest over Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal transfer

Newcastle United are on the verge of a pivotal week in terms of the future of their captain Bruno Guimaraes.

The Magpies' skipper is being heavily linked with a move to Arsenal, who have proposed a potential £70million bid in recent days.

The Tynesiders are doing everything in their power to keep hold of the 28-year-old, after a summer that has already seen them lose both Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon.

Arsenal have been undeterred in their pursuit of the Brazilian so far, while Newcastle have been left hoping that the whole situation will blow over.

Eddie Howe's side are now two games into their pre-season preparations, and Guimaraes remains away from the club during his post-World Cup break.

However, he is expected to return to the North East on 31 July, and from there, the picture regarding his future will become a little clearer.

Newcastle 'insiders' 'optimistic' over Bruno Guimaraes' future

Newcastle will be fearing the worst after Alexander Isak forced through a move to Liverpool last summer, but they remain hopeful that Guimaraes won't take a similar stance to his former teammate.

According to the iPaper, "club insiders" remain hopeful that the "perfect scenario" could yet play out for them in the coming weeks.

Several figures within St James' Park are "optimistic" that the skipper will return to the club as planned and "respect" the team and his contract, which is due to run until the summer of 2028 at the moment.

They are also understood to be hoping that the transfer "plays out," and the player concentrates on his football once the window closes.

It remains to be seen exactly how Guimaraes will view the situation when he returns to St James', but for now at least, there is a feeling around the club that he could still be in a black and white shirt come the end of the window.

Newcastle told to pay £60m for 'great' replacement

Former Tottenham scout Bryan King recently told Football Insider that Archie Gray could be a "great" replacement for Guimaraes if he were to leave.

Newcastle saw a bid rejected for the Spurs starlet earlier in the summer, but he remains firmly on their radar at the moment.

King believes that a £50m offer with the potential for a further £10m in add-ons could be enough to land Gray.

Newcastle are set to fight tooth and nail to keep hold of Guimaraes, but Gray may be a capable replacement if they lose their battle.