Newcastle United have already said goodbye to Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali this summer. The former has moved to Barcelona, while the latter will turn out for Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur from next season. And more could follow.
The stance coming out of the club has always been that Bruno Guimaraes is not available for a move this summer. The Brazilian midfielder might have missed his crucial penalty against Norway, but overall, it was a standout World Cup campaign for him as he enhanced his reputation.
After pocketing around £170 million from the departures of Gordon and Tonali, Newcastle United are under no pressure to sanction any further exits. But with Arsenal believed to be interested in Guimaraes, a move cannot be ruled out.
In modern football, if a player wants to leave, it almost always ends up happening though. So, no matter what the Magpies’ stance is on the matter, it might ultimately come down to Guimaraes himself and what he wants to do.
Why Bruno Guimaraes exit could still happen
According to TEAMtalk, Arsenal are weighing up a fresh bid for Guimaraes. Sources close to the Brazilian midfielder indicate that the player is growing frustrated by the club’s direction following further high-profile departures.
It is easy to understand why that might be the case. Guimaraes has seen Newcastle United sanction the exits of three of their best players over the past twelve months.
Alexander Isak left for Liverpool last summer. That has been followed by the departure of Tonali and Gordon already in this transfer window.
Guimaraes is 28 years of age and will want to compete at the highest level possible right now. But as Eddie Howe’s side constantly gets weakened, that might not longer be possible at St James’ Park. At least for a little while as they rebuild the squad. So, it is natural for the Brazilian to weigh up his options, especially as a club like Arsenal seem to be keen.
What should Newcastle United do in this situation
Arsenal won the Premier League last season and were a penalty shootout away from winning the Champions League as well. They would get even stronger if they add Guimaraes to their ranks.
On the other hand, the Brazilian midfielder would get the chance to play for a side that will compete for every trophy possible. At 28 years of age, and coming off a breakout World Cup campaign, this might be his final chance to make such a move.
If you are Newcastle United, this is a worrying situation. What is the solution? Well, the best-case scenario would be convincing Guimaraes to stay.
If that is not possible, then the next step would be to sign an experienced replacement for him. It is clear that the Magpies are prioritising youth and potential this summer. But they have lost far too much experience and proven quality.
Relying solely on youngsters simply does not work if you want to compete at the highest level. Just look at how the Chelsea project has completely fallen apart as a result of it. The Magpies should learn from their mistakes, not repeat them.
