When Bruno Guimaraes signs his new contract with Newcastle United, rival clubs will have a gaping opportunity to whisk him away from St James’ Park – if they have the cash.
That is because Bruno‘s new deal is going to include a release clause worth in excess of £100million.
The 25-year-old is due to extend his stay on Tyneside, with the midfielder ready to put pen to paper on a new contract until 2028.
Amanda Staveley has played a key role in the negotiations, and the new deal will see Bruno become Newcastle’s best paid player ever.
Bruno scored his first goal of the season during the 8-0 win against Sheffield United on Sunday, and used his celebration to tell fans that he was not going to be leaving the club. However, that will be a possibility once he signs this contract with a release clause in it.
Craig Hope delivers Bruno Guimaraes verdict
The Daily Mail’s Craig Hope has been doing a Q&A, and was asked about Bruno’s future at Newcastle ahead of him signing a new deal. Hope admitted that he thinks the Brazilian would stay, but was unable to rule out a departure next summer.
“I honestly think the release clause protects Newcastle, because I’m not sure any club would pay just north of £100m for Bruno,” he wrote.
“Only nine players in the history of the game have been bought for a fee in excess of £100m and, as much as I rate Bruno, is he really in that bracket? I don’t think so, not when he’ll be approaching 27 years old at the start of next season.
“But yes, a £100m sale – of any player – would massively help Newcastle with regards FFP and, maybe, some of those high up in the club will be hoping the release clause sets a bar for their expectations in terms of fees for their top players.
“I don’t think Bruno will go next summer, but I wouldn’t rule it out, either.”
Release clause protects Newcastle
While a release clause does mean someone can swoop in and take Bruno away without any negotations, to do so they will have to pay a huge fee.
If Newcastle sell Bruno, he will be the club’s most expesive outgoing player ever. A fee of more than £100million is huge, and would allow the Magpies to massively reinvest into their squad.
Obviously, losing Bruno would be a crushing blow, but that kind of money would ensure we can sign at least two top class players.
So it’s either that or Bruno continues to represent the club and shine on Tyneside, where he is idolised by Newcastle supporters.
The latter is more likely, as Hope says, but a move away can’t be ruled out. As Chelsea have shown this summer, teams will pay whatever it takes to sign a player like Bruno.
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