Arsenal have been linked with an interest in the Newcastle United midfielder this summer
Arsenal have been told that transfer target Bruno Guimaraes ‘isn’t good enough’ to be competing for Premier League titles. The Gunners are showing an interest in the Newcastle United midfielder this summer, with things expected to accelerate following the conclusion of the World Cup .
The Brazilian is understood to have expressed his desire to leave St James’ Park before the end of the window to join Arsenal. But they aren’t the only team interested, with Manchester United being named as another potential destination as they continue their midfield overhaul.
Newcastle will be reluctant to let another key player leave this window, especially after the £100 million sale of Sandro Tonali to Tottenham. The club also missed out on a deal for Swiss midfielder Johan Manzambi, who has completed a £50 million move to Aston Villa.
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It means that Magpies’ asking price for Guimaraes is thought to be in the region of £80-85 million.
With Arsenal looking the more likely destination for the player, Man United icon Dwight Yorke believes missing out on Guimaraes may not be a bad thing for his former club. The 54-year-old, who donned the red shirt between 1998 and 2002, told football odds compilers BOYLE Sports: “I don’t know about Bruno Guimaraes.
“I’m not sure he has been that impressive. I watched him play for Brazil at the World Cup and he’s not convinced me.
“I think he’s good. He’s shown that at Newcastle United. He’s got a good work ethic. I understand the value of that. But is that what you’re paying for when you sign a player to come to Manchester United? A good work ethic?
“Listen, he’s a solid player and maybe he’s good enough to get into a team at the level Manchester United should be at but is going to take them to another level? Will Bruno Guimaraes put United any closer to the Premier League title?”
“If so, he’s a good signing. But he doesn’t excite me. I’m not seeing him picking up a ball and boom, sending over one of those diagonal passes or cutting defenders apart with one ball.
“I just don’t see that quality from him. That’s why his performances for Brazil worried me. He was just another solid player in that team.
“They’re all solid players. I’m not saying he’s not a good player but is that where United are at now? Just buying players because they’re solid?”
“Bring me players that are going to make us superior! I’m not so sure that’s Bruno Guimaraes. The World Cup was an opportunity for him to tell the world there’s a reason why a team like Manchester United are going to be after me, and he’s come up short, in my opinion.”
Yorke also put forward that clubs would be better positioned to secure Lille prospect Ayyoub Bouaddi, who delivered an outstanding World Cup performance with Morocco. At merely 18, the midfielder demonstrated on football’s biggest stage that he can compete alongside the most seasoned professionals, prompting numerous clubs to express their interest.
While Arsenal are also connected with Bouaddi, they will encounter fierce rivalry from the calibre of Manchester City, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool in the race for his signature. Lille have additionally established a valuation of approximately £84m for him, eager to keep hold of him for at least one more campaign.
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