Arsenal have stepped up their attempt to sign Bruno Guimar\u00e3es by finally beginning formal transfer negotiations and making an opening offer, which Newcastle have rejected.<\/p>\n
Guimar\u00e3es met Newcastle\u2019s incoming manager, Matthias Jaissle, for the first time on Monday at the team\u2019s pre-season training camp at La Manga after a post-World Cup holiday in Brazil.<\/p>\n
There had been suggestions that the 28-year-old midfielder would fly to London for a medical at Arsenal, but instead he boarded a commercial flight to Spain. Once at La Manga, he was expected to tell Jaissle of his determination to swap Tyneside for north London, but everything hinges on whether Arsenal are prepared to meet Newcastle\u2019s valuation for a player with two years remaining on his contract.<\/p>\n
While executives at Arsenal believe Guimar\u00e3es is worth a maximum of \u00a370m \u2013 and a bid in that ballpark was rejected on Monday \u2013 Newcastle value their captain at around \u00a380m.<\/p>\n
If some sort of compromise seems likely given Arsenal \u2013 negotiating, initially, through intermediaries \u2013 have spent much of this summer in pursuit of a midfielder at the top of Mikel Arteta\u2019s shopping list, Newcastle are under no pressure to sell.<\/p>\n
Indeed, having sold Anthony Gordon<\/a> and Sandro Tonali to Barcelona and Tottenham respectively<\/a> this summer, they would prefer to offer Jaissle the benefit of Guimar\u00e3es\u2019s talent and experience as he rebuilds the squad.<\/p>\n The 38-year-old was believed to be keen to assess the Brazilian\u2019s mindset as begins preparations for the opening Premier League match at home to Liverpool two weeks on Sunday. Although the former Al-Ahli and RB Salzburg manager is still to be officially confirmed as Howe\u2019s successor<\/a>, Jaissle has been with his new squad since arriving in southern Spain on Saturday. Newcastle are waiting for the completion of some final paperwork before formalising his appointment.<\/p>\n Guimar\u00e3es has had several battles with Arsenal over the past few seasons. Photograph: Scott Heppell\/Reuters<\/p>\n One signing completed by Newcastle on Monday involved Lukas Hornicek\u2019s \u00a326m move from Braga. The 24-year-old Czechia goalkeeper is expected to replace Nick Pope as the team\u2019s first choice, with Pope now likely to leave.<\/p>\n