‘We didn’t want to sell Bruno’ – Newcastle chief explains Guimaraes exit
· Yahoo Sports
Newcastle sporting director Ross Wilson has admitted that the club did not want to sell Bruno Guimaraes this summer, but says the midfielder made it clear he wanted to leave.
Guimaraes is closing in on a move to Arsenal after four years at St James’ Park, with the two clubs agreeing a fee in the region of £75m.
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Wilson insists the Brazilian’s departure was not part of the club’s plans, with the midfielder having been a key figure and captain during his time at St James’ Park.
“We didn’t want to sell Bruno. It wasn’t in the plan to sell Bruno. None of us, or ownership, wanted to sell Bruno,” Wilson said.
“He’s our captain, he was very, very important to us and the debate over his price, it’s a world-record fee for a player of his age.”
However, Wilson revealed Guimaraes had expressed his desire to leave, which ultimately influenced the club’s decision to consider offers.
“What we had to weigh up was, very respectfully from Bruno with his behaviour towards us, very emotionally as well, effectively told us he wanted to leave and move on,” he added.
“That doesn’t mean he can go but it certainly plays a part in what our thinking is when we hit a certain range of number.
“But there’s no part in saying it was part of our strategy and was in our thinking this summer, it wasn’t,” he said.
“But we have got to be flexible and react to things that happen.”