Bruno Guimarães Transfer Would Prove Newcastle United's Dilemma

When a smiling Bruno Guimarães posed thumbs up over his Newcastle United contract the reaction from the world of soccer was surprise.

Considered one of the most promising deep-lying players in Europe, he’d been linked to giants like Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.

But instead of the Parc De Princes or Bernabeu Guimarães landed in Tyneside as one of the first marquee signings for wealthy new owners the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia.

It would be wrong to suggest Guimarães was joining anything other than a team in trouble, languishing in the Premier League relegation zone; the Magpies required the Brazilian to demonstrate his quality immediately.

However, Guimarães looked almost detached from those pressing anxieties about survival which clouded most commentators' judgments about Newcastle United.

Appearing before the media for the first time, Guimarães was focused on a bright future.

“We are going to be a club with big power in world football,” he calmly explained, “The owners were very upfront that this season the idea is to stay in the Premier League.

“However, in the future, the main objective in the seasons to come is to be in the Champions League and eventually to win the Champions League.

“This is a club with a fascinating project, great tradition, and passionate fans.

“I’m 100% focused on doing my best and my objective is to remain in the Premier League, we know it is difficult, but we have a really good team and we have made some good signings this season.”

If Guimarães curried favor with Newcastle United fans with those bold statements, his sparkling performances in black and white stripes cemented a place in their hearts.

The bond was made all the more strong by the fact that his prediction about Champions League qualification, which many had scoffed at, came true the following season.

Guimarães was integral to that achievement and it was little surprise when he was handed a new five-year contract in the autumn of 2023.

“I’m absolutely delighted. The fans have made me feel at home since my first day here and I feel so loved in my life,” he said when the deal was reached.

“I remember in my first interview, I said I wanted to play for this club in the Champions League and now it’s happening. We are doing so well and when I look around the pitch at my teammates, I am so proud of them all. I’m proud of everyone – the team, the staff, the owners and the fans. The city believes again,” he added.

The only dark spot on a pretty flawless moment was the unconfirmed mention of a $124 million release clause.

Seven months on things have shifted. Newcastle United faces a season without European soccer, the buyout clause has been confirmed and speculation is rife that a transfer may be on the cards.

Eddie’s Dilemma

Never one to shy away from a difficult subject, manager Eddie Howe decided to disclose the exact details of the arrangement.

Buyers have precisely one month from the season finishing to complete a deal otherwise the price goes up.

“Having that was well planned and structured in the sense that there’s a finish point,” explained Howe.

“We don’t want a summer of speculation. I don’t think that would be healthy for the player or for us.”

Howe said he was “not worried” about a situation he “couldn’t control”, but added a reminder of how highly he valued the Brazilian midfielder.

“It goes without saying what my thoughts on the Bruno situation are,” he continued.

“We want to keep him, we want to build our team around him and he’s an integral part of what we are doing. He seems very happy and settled.

“He’ll be thinking about a busy summer ahead and where we can hopefully take the team.

“He is a bit of that but we are not in control, so we shall see.”

Guimarães departure would be disastrous for a Newcastle United side that has plateaued following their extraordinary Champions League-qualifying campaign.

Howe, more than anyone, will know replacing him will be almost impossible. Not through a lack of finances, but because Premier League spending rules restrict them from drawing on the significant resources at the owner’s disposal.

It was a point Howe alluded to himself as the conversation moved from Guimarães.

“I know exactly where I want to take the team but with our current financial situation, I’m not sure we’re able to recruit ready-made elite players,” he told the media.

“We have to be really smart with our recruitment, we maybe have to be slightly different to some of the other clubs we’re in and around.”

It must be frustrating for Newcastle United fans to have their upward trajectory impeded by rules and regulations that didn’t exist for the teams already established above them.

But at least in Howe, the club has a man who is philosophical about the challenge.

“I can’t predict the future but whatever happens we can fight, live again and create a slightly different team,” he said of next season.

“I want to make changes but changes that can transport us forward.”

Whether those are with or without Guimarães remains to be seen.