Frightening Bruno Guimaraes stats breakdown justifies £100m price tag amid Liverpool, Man City and Arsenal links
Bruno Guimaraes covered the most distance, won the most possession, fouls, duels and high turnovers than any other Premier League player last season.
In a campaign riddled with injuries, the Brazilian was Newcastle United’s ever-present, playing 51 of the 52 available fixtures. The only game Guimaraes missed was November’s 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth after accumulating five yellow cards.
Rumours about the midfielder’s future have circulated all season – despite him penning a bumper contract extension in October. Guimaraes has dropped subtle hints that European qualification – what Newcastle can achieve should Manchester City lift the FA Cup today – is the deciding factor.
It is easy to see why clubs would be tempted to stump up £100million given the statistics. Last season, Guimaraes netted seven goals and created eight more in the Premier League alone – as a deep-lying midfielder.
He also topped the charts for most fouls drawn (108), duels (285), possession won (236) and high turnovers (40). Toon fans now have a nervous wait until June 30 – the date Guimaraes’ £100million release clause expires.
Newcastle United are facing a number of key decisions in the transfer market this summer – and Premier League rivals Everton are reportedly hoping to hand them another.
The Magpies battles with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations have been well versed in recent months and there have been suggestions several members of Eddie Howe’s squad could be sold this summer to free up funds to spend elsewhere. The likes of Callum Wilson, Martin Dubravka and Sean Longstaff are all set to enter the final 12 months of their current deals at St James Park and could be moved on as United look to avoid losing the trio on free transfers next summer.
