Arsenal’s first bid for Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes has been rejected, the Press Association understands. Speculation about the Brazil midfielder joining the Gunners has reached fever pitch and direct lines of communication have now been opened between the Premier League champions and managerless Newcastle. Bruno Guimaraes, left, has scored 31 goals in 195 matches for Newcastle (Owen Humphreys/PA)However, an opening offer being rebuffed seems unlikely to deter Arsenal, especially as Guimaraes has indicated he wants to swap St James’ Park for the Emirates Stadium this summer. Having already lost Anthony Gordon to Barcelona and Sandro Tonali to Premier League rivals Tottenham, Newcastle are loath to see another first-choice star walk out of the door. Lukas Hornicek on Monday became Newcastle’s fifth summer signing, joining fellow goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen, winger Bazoumana Toure and midfield pair Sean Steur and Aladji Bamba in a summer of upheaval.