Newcastle: Bruno Guimarães wanted to join Arsenal, says director
According to Bbc.
Context
Bruno Guimarães, a 28-year-old midfielder, was a central figure at Newcastle United, and his move to Arsenal highlights the growing competitiveness in the Premier League transfer market. With his departure, Newcastle face the challenge of rebuilding their squad and maintaining their position among the league's best clubs.
Why this matters
Bruno Guimarães' departure from Newcastle United to Arsenal represents a significant loss for the team, given his crucial role in midfield. The player, who stood out in the Premier League, is seen as a fundamental piece in the team's structure, and his transfer could impact the dynamics of Newcastle, which has already lost other important players recently.
Main conclusions
- Newcastle: Bruno Guimarães wanted to join Arsenal, says director.
- Newcastle United have confirmed the departure of Bruno Guimarães to Arsenal, with sporting director Ross Wilson explaining that the captain has expressed a strong desire to leave the club.
- Newcastle: Bruno Guimaraes wanted to join Arsenal, says sporting director Ross Wilson - BBC Sport.
Newcastle United sporting director Ross Wilson confirmed that the club were not planning to sell Bruno Guimarães, but that their "very emotional" captain had expressed a desire to join Arsenal. The Premier League champions are on the verge of completing a £75million deal for the midfielder after progress in negotiations this week. Although Wilson mentioned that it was "disappointing" to see Guimarães leave, he emphasized that the 28-year-old did not want to "stay here".
"What we had to consider was, very respectfully towards Bruno and his behavior towards us, very emotional as well, he basically told us he wanted to leave and move on," Wilson said. "That doesn't mean it can go, but it certainly influences our thinking when we get to a certain range of values.
"There's no part in saying it was part of our strategy and that it was in our thoughts this summer - it wasn't. But we have to be flexible and react to things that happen." Guimarães said a tearful goodbye to his teammates and coaching staff before leaving the club's pre-season training camp in Spain. He will be the fourth high-profile player to leave the club in less than a year, after Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon joined Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona respectively, and Alexander Isak joined Liverpool last season.
The loss of Guimaraes is a significant blow given his status as the team's talisman, but Newcastle CEO David Hopkinson suggested Arsenal were hoping to pay a smaller fee after lower fees were initially mooted for a player who turns 29 in November. However, Hopkinson acknowledged that Newcastle, in turn, would like an "even bigger number" for such an influential figure.
"We are dealing with very sophisticated actors on each side," he said. "That's what the negotiation looks like. It's an amount that we're happy with. If you want to put it from a merchandising perspective, it's the highest amount for a player at this position and at this age, and all of those things come into play.
"Is it a good deal for Newcastle United? I think so, but Arsenal are getting a very special player and person. Financially it has worked for both sides." Newcastle are active in the market looking for a replacement. Four of Newcastle's five signings this summer are under 20, but the club are looking to sign a slightly more experienced midfielder and make a few more additions before the market closes on September 1. However, Wilson cautioned that they don't want to make "any mistakes by jumping into doing something we don't really want to do just to fulfill an obligation."
What happens next
With Guimarães' move, Newcastle United may need to reinforce their midfield during the summer transfer window. The arrival of a new midfielder will be crucial to maintaining the team's competitiveness in the Premier League, especially after the departure of players like Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon. The club should explore the transfer market to find a suitable replacement who can contribute to the team's development.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Bruno Guimarães?
Bruno Guimarães is the captain of Newcastle United and a 28-year-old footballer who plays as a midfielder.
What is the status of the deal with Arsenal?
Arsenal are close to completing a £75m deal to sign Bruno Guimarães.
Why does Bruno Guimarães want to leave Newcastle?
Bruno Guimarães expressed his desire to join Arsenal, which was confirmed by Newcastle sporting director Ross Wilson.
When will Bruno Guimarães' transfer be official?
The exact date for the transfer to be made official has not yet been announced, but negotiations are advanced.
What will be the impact of Bruno Guimarães' departure at Newcastle?
The loss of Guimarães is considered a significant blow for Newcastle, given his status as the team's talisman.