Arsenal are on the verge of completing a deal to sign Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes, with a full agreement between the two clubs now considered little more than a formality.

BBC Sport first reported on 30 July that a breakthrough in negotiations had made Guimaraes's switch to the Premier League champions look increasingly likely. Since then, talks have advanced to the point where the Brazil international is awaiting clearance to leave Newcastle's training base in La Manga, Spain, so he can travel to finalise his move to Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners are expected to arrange a medical for the 28-year-old midfielder this week. No official fee has been confirmed, but sources indicate the deal could reach £80 million.

Guimaraes joined Newcastle from Lyon in 2022 and has developed into one of the Premier League's most influential midfielders. He has made no secret of his desire to move to Arsenal, where manager Mikel Arteta has identified him as his primary target for the central midfield position.

The two clubs have spent recent days working through the finer details of the agreement, and those discussions are now understood to be in their final stages.