With the clock ticking down to Monday’s transfer deadline, Newcastle United are closing on Bruno Guimaraes, a midfielder with all the attributes to spearhead the Magpies’ push for Premier League survival.
While the finer details may yet to be finalised, Sky Sports’ Jack Wilkinson explains why the qualities Guimaraes would bring to Eddie Howe’s squad at St James’ Park are not in question…
‘Lyon won’t give up Guimaraes without a fight’
You need to look no further than Lyon’s forcefully-worded statement to see just how highly the Ligue 1 club rate Guimaraes – and why they are not prepared to lose the midfielder without a fight.
Defensive midfielder Bruno Guimaraes needs no invitation to venture into opposition territory
Guimaraes moved to Lyon in January 2020 and went on to play 295 minutes in their run to the Champions League semi-finals, as the French club famously beat Italian champions Juventus and then English champions Man City before being knocked out by eventual winners Bayern Munich in the last four.
Guimaraes’ heatmap from that Champions League campaign illustrates he is a defensive midfielder by trade, but also a player with the attributes and hunger to venture forward whenever the opportunity arises.
- Newcastle agree £30m Guimaraes fee; Lyon deny
- Toon losing hope on Lingard | Carlos holding out
- Transfer Centre LIVE! | Paper Talk | Newcastle rumours
In addition, his combative qualities have been right up there with the best in Ligue 1 this season, where he ranks fourth for duels won, eighth for tackles, and is joint-sixth for possession won in the middle third.
