From Brazil’s World Cup heartbreak to Arsenal’s $108 million gamble

Brazil's World Cup exit after a missed penalty against Norway left Bruno Guimaraes in anguish, but the 28‑year‑old midfielder is set to join Arsenal on a five‑year deal worth about $108 million. The move, confirmed by Reuters, follows his performance for Brazil under Carlo Ancelotti at the World Cup and a £80 million fee reported by Times Sport.

In the round of 16, Guimaraes took a penalty at the 13th minute after a foul on Matheus Cunha, only to see Orjan Nyland save the shot. He later wrote on social media that the miss caused "the worst pain of my 28 years of life" and described the elimination as "the saddest day of my life".

Despite that personal low point, Guimaraes said football compensated him with a "million‑dollar pass" to one of Europe’s biggest clubs. The transfer to Arsenal, a club he called one of the six English giants, turns his sorrow into a lucrative new chapter.

Carlo Ancelotti kept Guimaraes in Brazil’s starting lineup throughout the tournament, and his overall display attracted interest from Arsenal. The midfielder’s consistent performances, even after the penalty miss, convinced the Gunners to act.

Arsenal will pay £80,000,000, roughly $108,000,000, making the deal the 16th most expensive Premier League sale and the 9th costliest between two British clubs. The five‑year contract runs until July 2031, with a medical scheduled for Monday before the signing is completed.

Before joining Arsenal, Guimaraes arrived at Newcastle from Athletico Paranaense, playing 17 matches, scoring five goals and providing one assist in his first half‑season. He later featured in 50 games, missing only one, and added seven goals with ten assists, helping Newcastle qualify for the Champions League after a 20‑year absence.

Newcastle’s recent success includes a 2‑1 victory over Liverpool in the EFL Cup final, after beating Chelsea and Arsenal en route, and a Champions League run that ended in the round of 16 against Barcelona with an 8‑3 aggregate loss.