Arsenal can give Bruno Guimaraes perfect sweetener if £70million transfer goes through

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Arsenal can hand Bruno Guimaraes his cherished squad number if they can get a deal for the Newcastle midfielder over the line. The Brazilian is a top target for the Gunners, with the midfielder eager to join the Premier League champions.

Newcastle are aware of Arsenal's interest but do not want to sell, having let Sandro Tonali join Tottenham for £100million earlier this summer. However, a trend has emerged regarding wanted Newcastle players, with the club initially digging their heels before eventually sanctioning a move.

The Gunners will hope that is the case as they prepare to make a £70m bid for the 28-year-old. Despite their admiration for Guimaraes, they are reportedly unwilling to go beyond that figure.

If Arsenal do sign Guimaraes, they would presumably hand him the number 39 shirt he has routinely worn in club football. He wears that number for a very special reason: it was the number on the taxi his father drove in Brazil.

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Guimaraes credits his dad's support and sacrifice for helping him realise his football dreams. He once said: "The number on my shirt tells a story more beautiful than words can express. I know that people think it's a strange number for a footballer.

"But for me, the 39 is special. It's magical. The number 39 has given me everything in life. It brought me here to Newcastle. It fed me, clothed me and funded the trips that allowed me to realise my dream of becoming a footballer.

"The number 039 was my father's taxi number in Rio de Janeiro. My father drove that yellow taxi day and night so that I could eat.

"Now, when he walks through the streets of Newcastle, on the other side of the world, people stop him and ask for photos. That yellow taxi kept my dream alive."

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Following the unveiling of Arsenal's squad numbers for the new season, the 39 shirt is currently vacant, having belonged to youngster Harrison Dudziak last season. Previously, it has been worn by Hector Bellerin and Francis Coquelin.

Guimaraes arrived at St James' Park in a £35m switch from Lyon in January 2022 as Amanda Staveley’s consortium opened the purse strings three months after completing their takeover.

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Initially nursed into the team by head coach Eddie Howe, he quickly established himself as a fans' favourite and, having been appointed captain, led the Magpies to their first major domestic trophy for 70 years in the 2024-25 Carabao Cup final.

Should he depart, he would leave a sizeable hole in a team already depleted by the departures of Tonali and Anthony Gordon, who has joined Barcelona.