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Newcastle Did Not Want to Sell Guimaraes, Says Sporting Director Wilson
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Sports

Newcastle Did Not Want to Sell Guimaraes, Says Sporting Director Wilson

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Newcastle United's sporting director Ross Wilson stated the club did not want to sell captain Bruno Guimaraes, despite reports linking him with a move to Arsenal.
  • Wilson explained that Guimaraes emotionally expressed his desire to leave, prompting the club to reconsider their stance.
  • The club had to be flexible and react to the player's wishes, even though selling him was not part of their strategy.

Newcastle United's sporting director, Ross Wilson, has asserted that the club had no intention of selling captain Bruno Guimaraes, despite widespread reports linking the Brazilian midfielder with a move to Arsenal for a reported £75 million.

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.

— Ross WilsonNewcastle's sporting director explaining the club's initial stance on selling Bruno Guimaraes.

Wilson clarified that while Guimaraes was a vital player and central to the club's plans, the situation changed when the player emotionally conveyed his desire to leave. "He's our captain, he was very important to us, and the debate over his price, it's a world-record fee for a player of his age," Wilson told reporters at Newcastle's pre-season training camp in Spain. "What we had to weigh up was, very respectfully from Bruno with his behavior towards us, very emotionally as well, effectively told us he wanted to leave and move on."

He's our captain, he was very important to us, and the debate over his price, it's a world-record fee for a player of his age.

— Ross WilsonNewcastle's sporting director highlighting Guimaraes' importance and value.

Although the club did not plan to sell Guimaraes, Wilson acknowledged the need for flexibility. "There's no part in saying (the transfer) was part of our strategy and was in our thinking this summer - it wasn't. But we have got to be flexible and react to things that happen," he said. Guimaraes joined Newcastle in January 2022 and has been a key figure, captaining the team to their League Cup victory in 2025.

What we had to weigh up was, very respectfully from Bruno with his behavior towards us, very emotionally as well, effectively told us he wanted to leave and move on.

— Ross WilsonNewcastle's sporting director explaining the player's influence on the transfer decision.

Guimaraes' potential departure marks another significant shift for Newcastle, following the exits of Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali, and manager Eddie Howe. The team is set to begin their Premier League campaign against Liverpool on August 23.

There's no part in saying (the transfer) was part of our strategy and was in our thinking this summer - it wasn't. But we have got to be flexible and react to things that happen.

— Ross WilsonNewcastle's sporting director discussing the club's need for adaptability in the transfer market.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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