The Big Picture

Arsenal are pushing to land Bruno Guimaraes before the transfer window closes, but Newcastle United have made their stance clear. The Magpies view their Brazilian engine as completely non-saleable unless an absurd valuation is met. Guimaraes remains central to everything Eddie Howe is building on Tyneside, and any offer landing well short will be rejected out of hand.

Since arriving from Lyon in January 2022, Guimaraes transformed Newcastle from relegation candidates into Champions League competitors. Here is the definitive ranking of his absolute top moments in a black-and-white shirt so far.

The Early Impact and Iconic Strikes

10. The St James' Debut cameo vs Everton (Feb 2022)

Replacing Jonjo Shelvey late in a 3-1 win, Guimaraes got his first taste of Tyneside atmosphere. He misplaced his very first pass before unleashing a backheel flick that sent St James' Park into raptures. It was a 5-minute introduction that instantly signaled a new era of flair in the North East. Ranking it 10th only because it was a teaser of the dominance that followed.

9. Backheel winner at Southampton (Mar 2022)

His full debut delivered pure audacity on the South Coast. With the score locked at 1-1, Guimaraes met a Dan Burn header with an unbelievable mid-air flick over his shoulder. That 52nd-minute piece of magic sealed a crucial 2-1 away victory. It proved immediately that Newcastle had signed an elite talent capable of conjuring goals out of thin air.

8. Demolishing Brentford at home (Oct 2022)

Guimaraes put on a midfield masterclass in a 5-1 thrashing of Brentford, scoring twice to set the tone for Newcastle's top-four charge. His first was a bullet header off a short corner; his second was a ruthless 25-yard drive after snatching possession. It showcased his complete box-to-box dominance against Premier League opposition.

Big Match Magic and European Nights

7. Sealing Champions League qualification vs Leicester (May 2023)

Newcastle needed a point to lock down top-four football for the first time in two decades. Guimaraes ran the entire midfield across 90 tense minutes during a 0-0 draw at St James' Park. His tearful post-match lap of honor cemented his bond with the fanbase. While not his most flash performance, the high-stakes significance puts it comfortably inside the top ten.

6. Stunner at Nottingham Forest (Feb 2024)

In a frantic 3-2 victory at City Ground, Guimaraes scored a brilliant volleyed brace, including a sweeping outside-of-the-boot finisher into the bottom corner. Newcastle were reeling from defensive lapses, but their captain dragged them over the line through sheer individual quality. It remains one of his finest technical performances in a Newcastle shirt.

5. Late dramatic winner vs Leicester (Apr 2022)

With Newcastle still pulling away from the relegation drop zone, Guimaraes delivered deep into stoppage time. In the 95th minute, he sprinted 70 yards to head home a deflected Matt Targett cross for a 2-1 victory. The knee-slide right in front of the Gallowgate End instantly earned him legendary status among local supporters.

Unforgettable Dominance on the Highest Stage

4. The 95th-minute winner at Fulham (Apr 2024)

On his 100th appearance for the club, Guimaraes marked the milestone by smashing home a late 81st-minute strike to secure a 1-0 win at Craven Cottage. Newcastle were struggling for rhythm all afternoon, but their talisman delivered when it mattered most. Ranking this above his Leicester late show purely due to the technical precision of the half-volley finish.

3. Sinking Arsenal's Top-Four Hopes (May 2022)

In the final home game of his debut season, Guimaraes sealed a stunning 2-0 victory over Arsenal that effectively killed the Gunners' Champions League ambitions. He capped off a lightning counter-attack in the 85th minute by slotting home a loose ball. It gave Arsenal a front-row seat to his quality—a performance that sparked the North London club's long-term transfer interest.

2. Dominating Paris Saint-Germain at St James' Park (Oct 2023)

Newcastle's 4-1 destruction of PSG in the Champions League group stage remains the marquee victory of the Saudi-backed era. Guimaraes completely pocketed Manuel Ugarte and Warren Zaire-Emery, providing the sublime assist for Sean Longstaff's goal. He controlled the tempo against world-class opposition, proving he belonged on Europe's grandest stage.

1. Taking the Captain's Armband and Committing to Tyneside (2024)

His ultimate moment isn't just one goal—it is taking official leadership of Eddie Howe's side amidst relentless transfer noise. As The Mirror reported, Newcastle remain adamant that Guimaraes is central to their pre-season plans and long-term future. Stepping up as skipper and consistently shutting down exit rumors makes this his defining contribution so far.

Honorable Mentions

Just missing the cut: his assist for Miguel Almiron against Chelsea in July 2023, his defensive display in the 1-0 League Cup semifinal win over Southampton, and his emotional interview after signing his contract extension through 2028.