Arsenal have agreed a deal in principle to sign Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle - and have set aside a day next week for a medical as the club close in on ending a long, protracted saga.

It is understood that the deal for the Newcastle captain is £77million plus add-ons.

The 28-year-old's contract has not been signed and finer details are to be sorted but Daily Mail Sport can confirm a deal is now very close.

The Magpies had been reluctant to part with their captain after losing other key players - such as Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon - this summer but the Gunners have gone all out to get the deal done.

Guimaraes dropped a bombshell on the Newcastle hierarchy several weeks ago by informing them of his desire to leave.

And he did not fly with the rest of the Toon squad to their pre-season training camp in La Manga on Friday.

The Magpies also saw manager Eddie Howe leave the club yesterday after four and a half years.