EPL: Why Newcastle sold Guimaraes to Arsenal – Official

Newcastle United have explained their decision to allow captain Bruno Guimaraes to join Arsenal, revealing that the midfielder’s desire to leave the club played a key role in the £75 million transfer.

Newcastle sporting director Ross Wilson said the club had no intention of selling the Brazil international this summer, but Guimaraes made it clear that he wanted a new challenge and was keen on a move to Arsenal.

Wilson described the situation as emotional but said the club had to consider the player’s wishes while also protecting Newcastle’s interests.

As reported by BBC Sport on Friday, Wilson was quoted as saying, “What we had to weigh up was, very respectfully from Bruno with his behaviour towards us, very emotionally as well, he effectively told us he wanted to leave and move on.”

He stressed that a player requesting a transfer does not automatically mean the club must sell, but it becomes a factor when negotiations reach a certain level.

“That doesn’t mean he can go, but it certainly plays a part in what our thinking is when we hit a certain range of number,” he added.

Wilson insisted that selling Guimaraes was not part of Newcastle’s original plans for the summer transfer window.

There’s no part in saying it 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.

Newcastle chief executive David Hopkinson also addressed the transfer, admitting that losing such an influential player was difficult but believing the final agreement represented a positive outcome for all parties.

You’re dealing with very sophisticated actors on each side. That’s what negotiation looks like,” Hopkinson said.

He added that the transfer fee reflected Guimaraes’ importance and market value.

“It’s a fee that satisfies us. If you want to put a merchandising spin on it, it’s the highest fee for a player in that position at that age, and all those things come into play,” he said.

Hopkinson praised Guimaraes’ contribution to Newcastle and acknowledged that Arsenal were signing a top-quality player.

“Is it a good deal for Newcastle United? I believe it is, but Arsenal are getting a very special player and person. It’s worked from a financial perspective for both sides,” he added.

Guimaraes reportedly said emotional goodbyes to Newcastle teammates and staff before leaving the club’s pre-season training camp in Spain.

His departure follows the exits of other key players, including Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak, as Newcastle continue to reshape their squad.

The club is now searching for a replacement midfielder and further additions before the transfer window closes, but Wilson warned that Newcastle will not rush into making signings simply to fill a gap.

“We don’t want to make any mistakes by jumping to do something that we don’t really want to do to tick a box,” he said.