Newcastle have ended up with two midfield stories running at once. Arsenal’s £55 million bid for Bruno Guimarães was rejected, while Tottenham are pushing for Sandro Tonali in a separate chase. Newcastle want £100 million for Tonali and Spurs are reportedly willing to meet it, which leaves the club facing pressure from both sides of the market.
Arsenal's move for Guimaraes
The Guimaraes situation is the cleaner of the two deals, at least for now. Fabrizio Romano said Arsenal made an approach “around £55million”, but Newcastle “closed the doors to this approach from Arsenal.” Ben Jacobs added that Arsenal have “actually put a number over his head”, while Liverpool’s contact was only exploratory.
There is still some disagreement over how far the Arsenal interest has already gone. One line has the opening bid rejected and nothing more, while another suggests a second bid has been discussed. What is not in doubt is Newcastle’s stance. Guimaraes is under contract until 2028, and his 2025/26 output explains why the fee would have to be strong: 41 appearances, 9 goals and 7 assists.
Tonali's Tottenham chase
Tonali is the more unsettling piece for Newcastle because the numbers tied to the move are bigger. Football365 reported that Newcastle want £100 million for him and that Tottenham are prepared to meet that demand. The same reporting said Tonali has already reached personal terms with Spurs, although that has not been independently confirmed here.
His recent Newcastle usage also shows he is still a major part of the side. Tonali averaged 84 minutes across his last five Newcastle matches and posted a 6.94 rating in that spell. That is not a profile of a fringe player being casually moved on, and it is why the idea of a double midfield exit feels awkward for Newcastle.
Newcastle's problem is not just the size of the two bids. It is that both players sit right in the middle of the team’s structure, one with end product and one with high value in a market where Tottenham are willing to spend. Guimaraes remains the easier player to frame as non-negotiable because of the contract until 2028, but Tonali’s situation looks more expensive and more advanced. Newcastle do not have to sell either man yet, but they are already being asked hard questions about both.
FAQ
Will Newcastle lose both Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali this summer?
Not necessarily, but both midfielders are under pressure from separate transfer moves. Arsenal had a £55 million bid for Bruno Guimaraes rejected, while Tottenham are reportedly willing to meet Newcastle’s £100 million valuation for Sandro Tonali. Newcastle also have Guimaraes tied to a contract until 2028.
Why are Arsenal and Tottenham targeting Newcastle’s midfield?
Arsenal’s approach for Bruno Guimaraes shows they see him as a high-impact starter, not a squad option. He made 41 appearances, scored 9 goals and added 7 assists in 2025/26. Tottenham’s move for Sandro Tonali comes alongside reports that Newcastle want £100 million, a fee Spurs are said to be ready to meet.
How strong is the case for Newcastle to keep Bruno Guimaraes?
Quite strong. Newcastle rejected Arsenal’s £55 million opening bid, and Guimaraes remains under contract until 2028. His 41 appearances, 9 goals and 7 assists in 2025/26 show why he is central to the side rather than a player Newcastle can easily replace.
Is Tottenham really pushing to make Sandro Tonali their record signing?
That is the reported direction. Newcastle want £100 million for Tonali, Tottenham are said to be willing to meet that demand, and the move would make him their most expensive signing in history if it went through at that figure.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 6 outlets. How we work →