Former Manchester United forward Dwight Yorke has delivered a brutal verdict on Arsenal transfer target Bruno Guimaraes, stating the Newcastle United midfielder is not good enough to play for the Red Devils. Arsenal have been pursuing a move for the Brazilian international, who has reportedly agreed a five-year deal with the Premier League champions after informing Newcastle of his desire to leave St. James' Park.
Yorke Questions Guimaraes' Quality
Speaking to Boyle Sports, Yorke said: "I don't know about Bruno Guimaraes. I'm not sure he has been that impressive. I watched him play for Brazil at the World Cup and he's not convinced me." The 54-year-old, who played for Manchester United between 1998 and 2002, added: "He's a solid player and maybe he's good enough to get into a team at the level Manchester United should be at but is going to take them to another level? Will Bruno Guimaraes put United any closer to the Premier League title?"
Arsenal's £55m Bid Rejected
Arsenal have already seen a £55 million bid for the 29-year-old rejected by Newcastle. Guimaraes has been at the club since January 2021, when he arrived from Lyon. Mikel Arteta believes the midfielder would be an emphatic addition to his title-winning side, but Yorke remains unconvinced. "He doesn't excite me. I'm not seeing him picking up a ball and boom, sending over one of those diagonal passes or cutting defenders apart with one ball. I just don't see that quality from him," Yorke said.
World Cup Performance Under Scrutiny
Yorke pointed to Guimaraes' performances for Brazil at the World Cup as a reason for doubt. "That's why his performances for Brazil worried me. He was just another solid player in that team. They're all solid players. I'm not saying he's not a good player but is that where United are at now? Just buying players because they're solid?" He added: "Bring me players that are going to make us superior! I'm not so sure that's Bruno Guimaraes. The World Cup was an opportunity for him to tell the world there's a reason why a team like Manchester United are going to be after me, and he's come up short, in my opinion."
Alternative Target: Ayyoub Bouaddi
Yorke suggested clubs would be better placed to secure Lille starlet Ayyoub Bouaddi, who impressed at the World Cup for Morocco at just 18 years old. The midfielder proved he can hold his own against experienced professionals, sparking interest from Arsenal, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and Liverpool. However, Lille have set a price tag of around £84 million for the youngster and are determined to retain him for at least one more season.
