Ligue 1 expert Robin Bairner believes Newcastle have signed a ‘pretty complete’ centre-midfielder in Bruno Guimaraes.
The Magpies announced the deal on Sunday, with the Brazilian agreeing a four-and-a-half year contract.
The 24-year-old cost an initial £35million, making him Newcastle’s second most expensive signing ever. He’ll wear the number 39 shirt at St James’ Park.
He’s a landmark arrival for the new Toon owners, and Bairner believes the Magpies have snapped up a real star.
Expert believes Bruno Guimaraes will be a success in the Premier League
Ligue 1 expert Robin Bairner has spoken to Geordie Boot Boys about the deal, and given his views on the latest Samba star to arrive at St James’ Park.
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“I think Newcastle are getting a really good player,” he said.
“He’s a pretty complete midfielder, who does most of his work defensively but is still capable of using the ball well.
“One of the areas he’s been criticised in the past at Lyon with is his big-game mentality, but he’s had some good performances on the big stage – I’m thinking back to the Champions League game in 2020 against Juventus, particularly, but also more recently he was superb against PSG.”
Guimaraes has excelled in France, but will now need to adapt to the Premier League. That’s often easier said than done, with many a player struggling with the intensity of English football. However, Bairner believes he will be a success in the Premier League.
“That’ll be interesting,” Bairner said when asked about Guimaraes adapting to English football.
“At Lyon there’s been a fairly strong core of Brazilian players in the team and behind the scenes that have helped him adapt, so it could be trickier going to England. That said, he has all the attributes to be a successful Premier League player.”
£35million ‘isn’t bad value’ for Guimaraes
Money has been an issue in January for Newcastle. They’ve simply got too much of it.
Clubs have wanted extortionate fees for their players, well aware of the Magpies’ newfound wealth and desperation for reinforcements.
So does the Guimaraes deal represent good value for money?
“I don’t think Newcastle are going to get ‘good’ value for anyone at the moment,” Bairner said.
“But equally I’m not sure that should be a big concern for the club given the position they’re in and also the money they have to spend.
“That said, €42million plus €10million, which is the figure being reported in France, isn’t bad value.”
Newcastle new boy could play for a ‘big six’ club
Guimaraes feels like a real coup for Newcastle – a statement signing. He was previously linked with Arsenal, and Bairner believes he has the ability to play for one of the Premier League’s ‘big six’ clubs.
“I could see him playing for a team of that standard (a ‘big six’ club).
“Maybe not a Manchester City or a Liverpool, but certainly Manchester United, Arsenal or Spurs. So to that end I do think he’ll be a statement signing – albeit one a lot of people probably aren’t aware just how good he is.”
January was an incredibly busy month for Newcastle, as they looked to improve a squad that is battling relegation.
Signing Guimaraes could be a gamechanger. He immediately enhances our midfield, and could play a key role in this hopeful journey up the Premier League table.
He’s good enough to play for a ‘big six’ club, and Newcastle are hoping to force their way into that conversation in the coming years.