Bruno Guimaraes appears set to continue wearing his familiar No. 39 shirt as his anticipated transfer to Arsenal edges closer to completion, with the number remaining unclaimed among the Gunners' current squad list.
Reports indicate that Arsenal's initial approach for the Brazilian midfielder was turned down by Newcastle United, but the two Premier League clubs are now understood to be closing in on a full agreement over a transfer fee. There is said to be a shared willingness on both sides to bring the protracted negotiations to a swift resolution. Guimaraes is currently waiting for the green light from Newcastle to travel for a medical examination before the move to the reigning Premier League champions can be finalized.
Once the transfer is completed, there is little doubt about which number Guimaraes will request for his shirt. The 39 has been a constant throughout his career at club level, dating back to his breakthrough years in Brazilian football with Atletico Paranaense. He has kept the same number during his subsequent spells with Lyon in France and later Newcastle in England, turning it into something of a personal trademark.
At present, Arsenal have several vacant squad numbers available, including 15, 18, 19, 25, 26, 27, and 28. However, none of these are expected to hold any appeal for the 26-year-old given the deep personal significance he attaches to 39.
The origins of that attachment were laid out by Guimaraes himself in an article he wrote for The Players' Tribune in February 2023, where he explained the profound meaning behind the number. "The number tells a story more beautiful than words can say. 39," he wrote. "I know people think it's a weird number for a footballer. But for me 39 is special — no, it's more than that. It's magical."
He went on to describe how the number had shaped his journey from humble beginnings to professional football. "The number 39 gave me everything in life. It got me here to Newcastle. It fed me, clothed me, and paid for three-hour bus rides to pursue my dream," he said, before revealing its true origin. "#039 was the dispatch number of my father's taxi in Rio de Janeiro."
That connection to his father's profession has clearly stayed with Guimaraes throughout his rise from South American football to the top level of the English game. Having established himself as one of Newcastle's most important players since his move from Lyon, his potential switch to Arsenal represents a significant statement of intent from the Premier League champions as they continue to strengthen their midfield options.
Should the transfer go through as expected, supporters at the Emirates Stadium will likely soon see the familiar No. 39 emblazoned on the back of a new Arsenal shirt, carrying with it a story that stretches back to the streets of Rio de Janeiro and the taxi his father once drove. For Guimaraes, the number has never simply been about superstition or preference, but rather a lasting tribute to where his footballing journey truly began.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport (Football).