Why Bruno Guimaraes must snub Barcelona interest to join fellow European giants

Cameron Smith

• 16 Jan 2024 15:39 GMT
• 4 min read

Newcastle United face the threat of being forced to sell one of their most prized assets amid Financial Fair Play concerns and Brazil international Bruno Guimaraes is one such player.

The midfielder has been one the Magpies’ most impressive performers since joining from Ligue 1 side Lyon in January 2022 and he is wanted by some of Europe’s biggest clubs.

FootballTransfers understand that Guimaraes’ ultimate ambition is to join Barcelona and the Blaugrana are interested in signing him to finally acquire a long-term heir to the departed Sergio Busquets.

Furthermore, sources have informed us that Barca and Real Madrid will be able to purchase Guimaraes for less than his €116 million (£100m) release clause, but Liverpool, Chelsea and any other interested Premier League clubs will have to activate that clause if they want to sign the Brazilian.

It’s no surprise that the continent’s best clubs are chasing Guimaraes’ signature, after all he is one of the top midfielders in world football, but a move to the Bundesliga may make more sense than to Spain.

Firstly, Real Madrid are already stocked for midfield options and while replacements for Toni Kroos and Luka Modric may be needed soon, Guimaraes wouldn’t be a guaranteed starter even if the veteran pair depart.

As for Barcelona, they are no longer at the top of the European game, Xavi’s position as head coach is under a little pressure and they likely don’t have the funds to sign Guimaraes in the first place.

However, Bayern Munich could be the perfect next step for Guimaraes if he does leave Newcastle.

Why Bayern Munich should sign Bruno Guimaraes

Thomas Tuchel’s side are crying out for an upgrade on Leon Goretzka to partner Joshua Kimmich in the middle of the park and Guimaraes is the perfect candidate.

His ability in possession can’t be questioned - see his assist for Alexander Isak against Manchester City as proof - while he combines that with defensive tenacity which is sometimes lacking in Kimmich’s game.

The Brazilian isn’t as much of an athlete as Goretzka in terms of his running power, but he has excelled in a deep number six role at St James’ Park, despite suiting a number eight role slightly more.

Placing him next to Kimmich would help unleash Guimaraes’ attacking potential, while still maintaining all the attributes that have been on full display since joining Newcastle.

Data analytics experts SciSports also believe that joining Bayern is Guimaraes’ best option, with the Bavarians ranking as his first-choice next destination as per their Career Advice tool.

The tool takes into account a variety of different factors, including potential development, playing style and club status, to generate a list of a player’s most well-suited clubs.

For Guimaraes, Bayern come out on top, followed by Serie A giants Inter Milan and then his current club Newcastle.

Barcelona do rank as his fourth-best choice, but it’s evident that joining Bayern is considered as a better option, as backed up by AI.

Guimaraes may be too expensive for Bayern after they spent big on Harry Kane last summer, but signing a world-class midfielder is arguably the next step for Tuchel’s side to compete with Manchester City and Real Madrid for Champions League honours and the Brazilian is the perfect target.