Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes asks to leave the club as Arsenal step up their interest in the 28-year-old. Multiple outlets report that Guimaraes makes his request following his Brazil exit from the World Cup, where he plays for the national team and misses a penalty in their last-16 tie against Norway. Arsenal are described as having accelerated their pursuit this summer, with reporting indicating they move closer to making an offer for the player. One outlet notes Newcastle have not had direct contact from Arsenal, but that Arsenal are now poised to make a fresh bid as negotiations progress elsewhere. Guimaraes joined Newcastle from Lyon in 2022 and has been a subject of speculation linking him with a move to Arsenal. The reporting also frames this situation as another setback for Newcastle, given the player’s stated desire to depart and Arsenal’s renewed transfer attention.