Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, with a potential offer of £70m being considered. However, Guimaraes is not expected to force a move away from St James’ Park, as the two clubs navigate discussions regarding the Brazilian international, who is valued at £80m.
Eddie Howe, Newcastle United head coach, has engaged in positive conversations with Guimaraes, but he has not offered any guarantees about the captain’s future. Howe stated that he is not part of the speculation surrounding Guimaraes’s future, emphasising the player’s importance to the club.
Guimaraes recently returned from holiday after Brazil’s World Cup exit to Norway this month. He is scheduled to rejoin the Newcastle squad for a pre-season training camp in Spain. Howe has expressed confidence that Guimaraes will be back in training with the team, highlighting his strong relationship with the player.
Guimaraes’s Role at Newcastle
Bruno Guimaraes has been a pivotal figure for Newcastle United, with Howe describing him as an “unbelievable player and person.” The club holds him in high regard, and there is a collective desire for him to remain at St James’ Park. Howe’s comments underscore the midfielder’s significance to the team’s structure and morale.
The situation draws comparisons to Liverpool’s pursuit of Alexander Isak last summer, though Howe has indicated that the circumstances are distinct. The head coach is keen to retain Guimaraes, especially given recent changes in the squad. The midfield has seen departures, including Sandro Tonali, who moved to Tottenham in a deal worth up to £100m.
To address midfield needs, Newcastle have brought in young talents such as Sean Steur from Ajax and Aladji Bamba from Monaco. Steur, an 18-year-old academy graduate from Ajax, joined for a fee up to £23m. He played 90 minutes in a pre-season friendly against Gateshead, where his performance was noted by Howe. Willem Weijs, who managed Steur at Jong Ajax, described him as one of the highest-rated players in their academy, praising his technical ability, composure, and vision.
Steur’s attributes include strong first touches, creating options in possession, effective scanning, and comfort on the ball in tight spaces. However, he is also working on improving his defensive play and physical strength to adapt to the demands of the Premier League. Howe stressed the importance of supporting these new arrivals and allowing them time to develop without undue pressure.
Transfer Market Activity
Newcastle’s transfer strategy this summer has involved targeting younger players, specifically those aged 20 and under from continental Europe. Alongside Steur and Bamba, other newcomers include Ewen Jaouen and Bazoumana Toure. This shift in focus makes retaining experienced players like Guimaraes even more crucial for the club.
Beyond Arsenal’s interest in Guimaraes, other transfer rumours are circulating. Newcastle are also reportedly considering an offer for AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori. Meanwhile, Liam Delap is a target for Nottingham Forest, a year after joining Chelsea. Oliver Glasner, the manager of Nottingham Forest, is looking to make at least four new signings.
In other news, Juventus, Roma, and Como are among the Italian clubs interested in Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee. Manchester United reportedly have no plans to pursue former striker Danny Welbeck, who is a target for Chelsea. Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips is close to another loan move to Sheffield United after being excluded from the pre-season tour of Asia. Brentford are also weighing up a move for Tottenham midfielder Pape Matar Sarr. A reported move for Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye to Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal is not thought to be close.
In Scotland, Rangers have held discussions to sign Coventry winger Jahnoah Markelo, while former Rangers loanee Andreas Skov Olsen is set to join Turkish club Basaksehir. Real Oviedo’s sporting director David Fernandez has stated his club is in a strong position regarding the sale of their World Cup stars, amidst Celtic’s interest in Haissem Hassan. Boca Juniors have reportedly received an offer from the MLS for Marcelo Saracchi, whom Celtic had hoped to re-sign after his loan spell. Real Betis are also preparing a move for Rangers midfielder Nico Raskin.
Away from club transfers, Lisandro Martinez and Alexis Mac Allister reportedly hired private security for their homes due to safety concerns following England’s 2-1 defeat to Argentina in the World Cup semi-final.
Source: skysports.com