Newcastle uncertain on Bruno Guimaraes future amid Arsenal interest
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has indicated uncertainty regarding the future of captain Bruno Guimaraes, despite having positive discussions with the player. Reports suggest that Arsenal is preparing a £70m offer for the Brazil midfielder, though Newcastle aims to retain him.
Howe confirmed conversations with Guimaraes before, during, and after the World Cup, but stated that the specifics of these discussions must remain private. He added that he is not privy to what will happen with Guimaraes’ future, leaving room for speculation from others. Guimaraes is expected to rejoin Newcastle on Friday after his holiday, following Brazil’s exit from the World Cup at the hands of Norway this month, and will then travel with the squad for a pre-season training camp in Spain.
Squad Changes and Midfield Rebuilding
The Newcastle midfield has seen changes with the departure of Sandro Tonali, who transferred to Tottenham in a deal reportedly worth up to £100m. In response, Newcastle has brought in young midfielders Sean Steur from Ajax and Aladji Bamba from Monaco. While Bamba’s move was announced recently, Steur played 90 minutes in a pre-season friendly against Gateshead, where he reportedly performed well.
Steur’s transfer from Ajax at the age of 18 for a fee of up to £23m is considered unusual for an academy graduate. Willem Weijs, who coached Steur at Jong Ajax, described him as one of the academy’s most highly-rated players, highlighting his technical ability, composure, and vision. Weijs also noted Steur’s strengths in first touches, creating options in possession, scanning, and comfort on the ball in tight spaces. However, he also mentioned that Steur needs to develop his defensive play and compete better in duels.
Newcastle‘s recruitment strategy this summer has focused on targeting players aged 20 and under, primarily from continental Europe. Newcomers such as Steur, Bamba, Ewen Jaouen, and Bazoumana Toure are expected to require time to adapt. Howe stressed the importance of supporting these new players and relieving pressure on them to allow for their development and enjoyment of their time at the club.
Guimaraes’ Importance and Arsenal’s Interest
Howe emphasized Guimaraes’ significance to the club, referring to him as the captain and an “unbelievable player and person.” He stated that everyone at the club values him and wishes for him to stay. The manager also drew a comparison to Liverpool‘s pursuit of Alexander Isak last summer, though he noted there is “nothing to say Bruno won’t be back training with us.”
Arsenal‘s reported interest in Guimaraes, with a potential £70m offer, comes as the club considers players who can make an immediate impact. Some comparisons have been drawn to Manchester City‘s acquisition of Fernandinho in 2013, who was a 28-year-old Brazilian midfielder. Adjusted for inflation, Fernandinho’s transfer fee would be around £80-90m in today’s market. Fernandinho went on to play 384 games over 9 seasons for Manchester City, contributing to 5 league titles and a total of 13 domestic and European honours.
Guimaraes is considered to be among the top central midfielders in the league, alongside players like Declan Rice and Rodri. While a fee of £80m for Guimaraes might seem substantial, Arsenal‘s financial position, following record revenues, could allow them to amortize such a cost over a 5-year contract. This approach could enable them to sign players who can deliver immediate success, regardless of their age, similar to the strategies employed by clubs like Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich.
Guimaraes is seen as a player who can maintain the squad’s balance at a high level. He, along with Rice and Martin Zubimendi, are considered strong options for midfield positions. While Rice and Zubimendi are 27, and Guimaraes will soon be 29, all three are believed to have at least 3-5 years at the top level. The focus remains on balancing experienced players with the development of younger talent. Guimaraes is currently seen as a box-crashing midfielder but possesses the intelligence to transition into a defensive midfield role later in his career, reminiscent of former Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, who played his best football between the ages of 30 and 33.
Howe’s desire to keep Guimaraes is heightened by the departures of Isak, Tonali, and Anthony Gordon in the past year.
Guimaraes is scheduled to return to Newcastle on Friday.
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Source: bbc.com
