Newcastle’s £40million January signing Bruno Guimaraes was on the radars of Arsenal and Juventus, but was convinced by the Magpies’ Champions League ambitions
Video Unavailable
Simon Bird on Chris Wood to Newcastle United
Bruno Guimaraes revealed he refused to wait for Arsenal and signed for Newcastle “to win the Champions League.
The new signing revealed the Saudi-funded Geordies blew all his other summer options away – including Juventus and the Gunners – because they are aiming to be a “world power.”
Newcastle are second bottom of the Premier League, and today revealed leading scorer Callum Wilson will be out for most of the season with his calf injury.
But they lured Dan Ashworth from Brighton as their new Director of Football, and £40m world-class Guimaraes made a bold prediction about the trajectory of the club ahead of a massive relegation clash with Everton on Tuesday night.
Asked why join Newcastle, Guimaraes said: “They didn’t disguise that the main objective and challenge was remaining in the Premier League this season.
Have Your Say! Will Bruno Guimaraes be a Premier League star? Make your prediction here.
“But in the seasons coming, the objective is to be in the Champions League and eventually to win the Champions League.
“I believe in the project, I believe in everything they spoke to me about.”
Asked if Newcastle were as big a club as Arsenal, he replied: “We are definitely going to be a club that is going to be a big power in world football.
“This is a historic club with a great tradition and a beautiful history, I have no doubts about my decision to come to Newcastle.
“Newcastle have presented something really interesting. I was so happy with the trust and faith the directors and president placed in me.
‘I am someone who is driven by challenges.”
Asked about the chances of avoiding relegation, Guimaraes said: “Definitely (we will avoid it). If not, I would not have accepted to come here. With the new players, the manager, if we work hard together, we can achieve that objective.
“The people here at Newcastle really wanted me here, which is so good to hear. When you join a project right at the beginning, it gives you more morale and respect from the fans. The fans are so happy for me to be here – that was the determining factor in my decision.”
Earlier today Guimaraes pointed to the number 39 on his black and white Newcastle shirt and revealed it is a symbol of his journey to Tyneside.
For 20 years his dad was a taxi driver with his cab no39. It is part of the story which has seen Guimaraes rise from a teenager leaving home at 15 to becoming one of Newcastle’s most expensive signings.
(
Image:
(Photo by Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images))
He added: “That is the number that has sustained my family when I was growing up.
“My dad was a taxi driver for 20 years and that was his taxi number. No 39. When I signed for my first professional club Athletico Paranaense he asked me to take his number for my shirt.
“I didn’t even have to ask for it, they gave it to me. It is also a lucky number in my family because of that.
“We won four league titles at Paranaense and it has proved to be a lucky number for me on the pitch. I will take it everwhere with me.
(
Image:
SCOTT HEPPELL/AFP via Getty Images)
“I left home really early when I was just 15. I went to live in another state. I was alone in digs when I was at Audax. I only saw my parents twice a month and I am an only child.
“It was really different for me and really difficult for them. It was a difficult time and I really missed them. I missed home. But I would do it all again to get here now.”
“My dad was really important for me. My family are everything. I carry them with me everywhere, I have my mum and dad’s names tattooed on me.
£2 free shop bet with William Hill with Tuesday’s Daily Mirror
“In terms of Brazilian players I’m quite similar to, it’s difficult. I’d say two Spanish players I’ve always been inspired by, Andres Iniesta and Xavi.
“In terms of Brazilian players that I have always been a huge fan of, it’s Ronaldinho, but we’re very different players.”
Read More
Read More
