Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes admits he had a number of sleepless nights ahead of deciding to sign for the Magpies in January.
The Brazilian international, who left Olympique Lyonnais for St James’ Park at the start of the year, had been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal before opting to move to the north east in a £40million transfer.
The 24-year-old has been a big hit since his move to Tyneside and scored five times in his first 17 Premier League appearances for Eddie Howe’s side. Speaking on the move to Newcastle, Guimaraes admits that while he is delighted with the decision he made to join the Magpies, it was a tough decision to make.
“It was one of the hardest decisions of my life, I think I went about four days without sleep. I’m not going to lie, I was afraid, yes,” Guimaraes told Globo Esporte (per Chronicle Live ).
“Even more so because the club was in the relegation zone. But after I got there and did my first workout, confidence went up again. After I started playing, everything started to work out, we ended up in 11th, a team that was second to last.
"The best decision of my life was to go to Newcastle, to the Premier League, I believe it may have been a differential in my call-ups too."
Has Bruno Guimaraes been the best of Newcastle United's January signings this year? Have your say in the comments section.
Guimaraes was among five January signings made by the Magpies in the last transfer window that saw them propel themselves out of the Premier League’s relegation zone and finish the 2021/22 campaign in 11 th place.
Newcastle signed Guimaraes, Dan Burn, Kieran Tripper and Chris Wood on permanent deals, as well as the loan acquisition of Matt Targett from Aston Villa.
Newcastle had the third best points-per game average of all top-flight teams in England in 2022. Only top two sides Manchester City and Liverpool had better records in the league this year.
Given Newcastle’s rise up the table in recent months and their increased spending power due to the £300m takeover by Saudi-led group PIF last January, it is likely they will spend big again this summer as they look for a return to European football.
Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been heavily reported as the club’s top transfer target, despite an injury-hit 2021/22 term. Newcastle’s top scorer in the league last season was Callum Wilson, who scored eight league goals and missed more than half of the season through injury.
Barcelona forward Memphis Depay and Lyon midfielder Lucas Paqueta are among the other names who have been recently linked with transfer interest from Howe’s side.
