Newcastle director confirms Bruno Guimaraes transfer to Arsenal
Newcastle United’s sporting director Ross Wilson has acknowledged that the club “didn’t want to sell” captain Bruno Guimaraes, who has completed a £75 million transfer to Arsenal, with an official announcement expected from the Gunners soon, reports BritPanorama.
The departure of the 28-year-old marks a significant loss for Newcastle, which has already seen a mass exodus from St James’ Park this transfer window, including Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali. Additionally, manager Eddie Howe resigned last week, paving the way for Matthias Jaissle to take the reins.
In addressing Guimaraes’ situation, Wilson stated, “We didn’t want to sell Bruno. It wasn’t in the plan to sell Bruno. None of us – or ownership – wanted to sell Bruno.” He noted the transfer fee as a world record for a player of Guimaraes’ age, adding that the Brazilian’s desire to leave played a significant role in their decision-making. “What we had to weigh up was, very respectfully from Bruno, with his behaviour towards us, he effectively told us he wanted to leave and move on,” Wilson explained.
Although Newcastle’s hierarchy remains reluctant to part with key players, Wilson reiterated the need to be flexible in response to changing circumstances. “It might have been in our plan to sign one player, but we didn’t get him, so we move on to another,” he said. Guimaraes had a brief encounter with Jaissle during the club’s training camp in Spain, where he bid an emotional farewell to his teammates. Jaissle admitted he could do little to alter the situation, reflecting on the challenge ahead for the club.
Jaissle expressed hope for the future, asserting that the departure of established stars presents a chance for renewal. “This is a challenge, and there are so many transitions at the moment,” he remarked. “Not having too many excuses now, just thinking forward about what we can influence.” His comments signal a commitment to progress despite the current upheaval within the squad.
Even as Newcastle navigates this turbulent transition, one thing remains clear: the absence of Guimaraes may echo through the club for some time, a testament to how swiftly fortunes can shift in football, much like the changing of the seasons themselves.
