Bruno Guimarães has revealed he snubbed interest from Arsenal to join Newcastle United because he has been convinced the club will rapidly grow into a global power under their new owners.

Bruno became Newcastle’s club record signing when he arrived from Lyon in the final week of the January transfer window in a deal worth around £43m, surpassing the £40m spent on fellow Brazilian Joelinton two and a half years ago.

The Brazil international had been watched by most of the elite European clubs, but Newcastle were able to persuade Lyon to sell in January before others, including Arsenal and Juventus, could make their move for the 24-year-old.

In the short term, he will be expected to help keep Newcastle in the Premier League but with more investment planned for the summer, to go on top of the £93m spent on new players in January, Bruno is adamant he has joined at the start of an exciting and ambitious project. 

“We are definitely going to be a club that is going to be a big power in world football,” said Bruno, when asked why he had rejected interest from Arsenal to sign for Newcastle. “This is a historic club with a great tradition and a beautiful history. I have no doubts about my decision to come to Newcastle.

“They [Newcastle’s owners] were very up front and honest about it. They didn’t disguise that the main objective and challenge was remaining in the Premier League this season.

“But in the seasons coming, the objective is to be in the Champions League and eventually to win the Champions League. I believe in the project, I believe in everything they spoke to me about, and I am really happy to be a part of this project.”