Newcastle United hope to announce Bruno Guimaraes’ new deal but clarity needed on talk of escape clause
Bruno Guimaraes is understood to be due to announce his new contract at Newcastle United very soon. Sources closes to the midfielder believe it is almost a “done deal” for Bruno and he is expected to sign an extension until 2028. The 25-year-old’s original deal was due to run until 2026 after he arrived from Lyon for around £40million.
If Bruno is around until 2028 he should get his chance to become a “legend” as he wished for in 2022 just a few weeks into his Toon career. It was in the latter weeks of the 2021/22 season that he underlined just what a great midfielder and competitor he is for the Magpies.
Last season he was an integral part of the team that delivered Champions League football for the first time in 20 years. The start of this campaign has been a struggle for Bruno, but he started to show signs of getting back to his old self at the San Siro this week in the Group F game in Italy that ended 0-0 with AC Milan.
After steaming into a tackle he celebrated as wildly as a goal to help net a crucial point in the group stages. It was good to see and with his contract worries over it can perhaps be the launchpad to get back to his best form. However, the fresh hints on Bruno’s contract didn’t come without a few concerns for supporters. Talk of a £100million release clause – something not written into Bruno’s original deal – leave the door ajar for an exit before 2028.
United have not confirmed the clause – if accurate – but Eddie Howe will be asked about it once the deal is confirmed. Howe has spoken before about his admiration for signings who haven’t looked for a “way out”. Bruno passed on that sort of option when he signed for Newcastle in 2022 even when the black and whites were threatened by relegation. So why now?
The difference perhaps is that at 25 the player must protect himself because the contract after this one could be the last bumper deal of his career as he enters his peak years. A £100million escape clause can work either way of course.
If the player is doing well, it can work against a club as the value of the player could have rocketed by good form. If say Real Madrid got him for that price you’d feel a little bit short changed. And he has hit a slump it may be harder to find any takers at that price.
Another cause for concern is that Liverpool’s interest was talked up by those close to Bruno at the end of the window. If the Reds – or anybody else, with Real Madrid long-term admirers of Bruno, they would surely have a roadmap to securing his exit from St James’ Park.
For now, Bruno will be able to get his head down and focus on making things tick again in midfield. The hope is that he can start to gel with Sandro Tonali and push the team up the table.
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