Inside Bruno Guimaraes transfer plan and what Newcastle and Arsenal claim about 'advanced talks'

Newcastle United chiefs are growing tired of suggestions that Arsenal have cranked up their bid for Bruno Guimaraes.

This is a transfer saga that is threatening to derail Newcastle's summer in a manner similar to what happened 12 months ago with Alexander Isak. Guimaraes has been linked with a move to the Gunners for several weeks now.

However, so far there has been no movement despite several conflicting reports. The Brazilian remains on holiday after his World Cup exertions and his due to return to Tyneside this week.

This is where we stand on the transfer saga.

Are Newcastle and Arsenal in 'advanced talks'?

Chronicle Live has been told by high-placed sources that, despite fresh reports that the Gunners are now in advanced talks, there has been NO club to club contact at this stage.

As of this afternoon, Arsenal had not placed a bid and having checked the story at both ends, Chronicle Live has been told that the two boards are yet to engage in fresh discussions, let alone talk about a fee.

Conversations between intermediaries on a price may have taken place, but Newcastle swiftly batted away talk of Bruno being sold for £70m. And after checks at the Arsenal end, we were also told that suggestions on Saturday evening that the Gunners were willing to pay £80m were also off target.

When will Bruno report back to Newcastle?

We have also been told that United do not see the need to seek assurances from the Brazil international because he is contracted to the club for two years and obliged to report for duty on July 31.

Previously, head coach Eddie Howe revealed that he had held 'private talks' with Bruno but his conversations had been cordial.

CEO David Hopkinson and sporting director Ross Wilson have been of the opinion throughout the summer that they are under no pressure to sell their captain. They have already raised £169m - potentially rising to £175m - with the sales of Sandro Tonali to Tottenham and Anthony Gordon to Barcelona.

Howe said on Saturday, after the 1-1 draw with Gateshead: "We don’t want to lose our best players. That is an obvious statement to make, losing those big two is painful for us and difficult for us.

"For me it has been another challenging summer so far. We are always trying to do our best for the football club long and short-term and try to get the squad in the best place."

What is Bruno's take on all of this?

The player himself has so far kept quiet. He has posted a couple of times on social media, including a tribute to Kevin Keegan after his death last week, but hasn't spoken about Newcastle or his future.

However, he was pictured fishing in a Newcastle bucket hat this week.

While it is unclear how the emotional Brazilian feels right now, he is understood to want to compete for silverware and feels that Newcastle's project isn't giving him the best chance of achieving that. There will be no European football this season, least of all Champions League.

Bruno had said back on May 28: "A very frustrating season, and without a doubt, we are all very disappointed.

"You fans definitely did not deserve this. But football doesn’t always go the way we plan. Individually, I managed to have the season with the most goal contributions in my career, and I would trade all of that for a better position in the table.

"Honestly, I just want to thank the fans for everything. Thank you."

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