Former Newcastle United winger Chris Waddle has stated that the club should not stand in the way of captain Bruno Guimaraes if he wants to join Premier League champions Arsenal. Waddle believes that Newcastle should not retain players who no longer wish to be at the club.
Guimaraes' Transfer Request
News emerged last week that Guimaraes had asked to leave Newcastle to join Arsenal, amid interest from the Champions League finalists. However, there has been no club-to-club contact regarding a move, and Newcastle's official stance remains that their captain is not for sale. Arsenal had been given confidence that a bid of around £50-60 million could tempt Newcastle into a sale, but that is not believed to be the view inside St James' Park.
Newcastle's Valuation
Given the prices of other midfielders on the market this summer, a bid of around £90-100 million may be required for Newcastle to even consider a sale, especially after Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon have already left the club this summer.
Waddle's Perspective
Waddle, speaking to OLBG, expressed his view that if Guimaraes no longer wants to be on Tyneside, Newcastle should let him leave and seek a replacement. "I'm looking at the players Newcastle are linked with, particularly the younger ones," Waddle said. "It seems they're shifting towards a younger recruitment strategy, focusing on developing talent to sell on, much like Tottenham has done over the years."
Waddle added, "Many of the players they've been linked with are quite young and unproven. They could turn out to be top players, or they might not. The players you read about and who they are linked with show they are going down that younger, high-potential avenue."
Cash In and Move On
"But if Guimaraes has asked for a transfer, Newcastle are likely thinking, 'We can cash in.' But if he has asked for a transfer, they shouldn’t have to pay his wages," Waddle continued. "So if he's asked for a transfer, Newcastle just need to get the biggest price and send him on his way. If he doesn't want to play for Newcastle, let him go."
