Newcastle have opened talks to sign £25m midfielder

Newcastle United still have their hackles raised as Arsenal continue to circle St. James’ Park, biding their time and keeping their eyes trained on Bruno Guimaraes.

Who’s optimistic? The overwhelming feeling is one of resignation, even now, with the Magpies defiant. PIF want at least £100m for the skipper, as Tottenham Hotspur paid to sign Sandro Tonali earlier in the transfer window.

Eddie Howe has been tasked with leading Newcastle back into the limelight, but it’s going to be tough, with the Toon struggling through the summer transfer window once again.

PIF have just pulled off a priceless midfield signing though, landing Monaco midfield Aladji Bamba. Bruno’s long-term successor?

Why Bamba can be Guimaraes’ long-term replacement

Losing Guimaraes this summer would be detrimental to the progression of the Newcastle project. He is the beating heart of Howe’s team, and there is no reason for Newcastle to sell.

But the pressure applied by the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool can be akin to the unstoppable clamp of a hydraulic press, and there is still a long, long way to go before safety.

Bamba has the skillset to replace Guimaraes in the long run, but Howe and co will hope that both unite at St. James’ Park next year.

The “ball-winning monster“, as noted by Newcastle writer Bradley Robson, will join the Toon in a deal rising to £35m. He is only 20, but there is a lot to like, showing the physicality and natural progression on the ball to one day step into Guimaraes’ boots.

If Arsenal manage to take the Brazilian superstar back to the Emirates this summer, though, Bamba may not be able to cover such ground on his own.

Newcastle need someone else in the middle of the park.

Newcastle still interested in signing Brazil midfielder

Bamba is an exciting talent, a physical dueller who could be a difference-maker over the years to come. However, it’s important that he is not overburdened from the start, and Newcastle may want to add another cog to their midfield machine.

According to BBC Sport Newcastle have expressed interest in Botafogo midfielder Danilo Santos, suggesting that talks have been held regarding a potential deal.

Danilo, aged 25, is also attracting attention from Manchester United, while both Zenit and Palmeiras have recently lodged £25m offers.

A member of Brazil’s World Cup squad, while he is on Howe’s shortlist, it remains unclear if an official offer will be tabled over the coming weeks.

After all, Newcastle have just signed a second midfielder of the summer, but Bamba is only 20 years old, and Steur younger still. If Arsenal persist in their bid to sign Guimaraes in a nine-digit deal, Danilo could be a ready-made replacement, a monstrous goalscorer from the middle who is also combative and measured when he needs to be.

The former Nottingham Forest star has made a number of improvements since returning to his homeland, and he would re-join the Premier League a stronger and more formidable presence, someone who could bring the requisite strength and sureness on the ball (and when against it) to replace Guimaraes.

Across only 12 games in the Brazilian top flight this year, he has scored seven goals and created five big chances. He averaged 5.2 ball recoveries per game, so certainly has the energy and athleticism to withstand the intensity of the Premier League.

Bamba is exciting, but he is young, and there is a reason that Monaco only handed him ten Ligue 1 starts last season.

Newcastle have a clear focus in mind this summer, strengthening with up-and-coming quality, but they need to sprinkle in some experience too, and Danilo would be a first-class addition in that regard, a combative midfielder with a keen attacking edge.