Agent hints at NUFC's huge plans for 2022/23 and says club beat European giants to £40m deal
Bruno Guimaraes' agent Alexis Malavolta has revealed that he received January interest from Juventus, but is loving life on Tyneside and targeting Champions League football and legendary status at St James' Park.
The Brazilian's big money move from Lyon was impressive enough given we were deep in a relegation battle at the time, but the fact he opted for us instead of Arsenal AND Juventus also speaks volumes.
With three goals and an assist in his last four games - all of which have been victories - the 24-year-old could not have asked for a better start to life on Tyneside and he is clearly very excited for the future.
On his aims for the coming years, Malavolta says Bruno made it clear before signing that he'd like to bring Champions League football to Tyneside as early as "next season."
While many fans would be happy to avoid any sort of relegation battle next year, the Samba star is clearly targeting both domestic and European success - perhaps suggesting that plans for the summer could be bigger than some journalist have suggested!
Speaking to Tutto Juve, here's everything Bruno's agent had to say - starting with the January interest from Juventus:
“Yes, there were really some contacts with Juventus. I can confirm that. January is a quick window to enter into negotiations, we couldn’t go too long.
“We had to wait until halfway through the month to see some concrete movements. And Newcastle arrived, who got serious. Bruno couldn’t wait another six months to decide his future in the World Cup year.”
When it was suggested it was a question of time over money, the representative said: “It’s not really like that. In 2020, in the first window following the pandemic, we asked to see if he could leave.
“Bruno had just arrived at Lyon, Juve were already interested, but the hypothesis of a loan with option to buy was excluded. The former director Juninho told me, stating that the president would sell him only in the face of an offer of €70m. Something very difficult in a world crisis.”
Malavolta then discussed how his client is enjoying life at Newcastle and in the Premier League.
“I agree, it was a transfer of great impact worldwide. It happened in a transfer window, the winter one, where usually little or nothing happens. He is very happy at Newcastle and is fulfilling his dream of playing in the Premier League,” he explained.
On why he left to join the Magpies and his aims for the future: “He has always been very motivated to accept challenges, he never backs down. Bruno is delighted with the choice made; he feels good.
“His goal was clear from the start: to help the team get out of the relegation zone and take them to the Champions League next season. And, why not, try to win the Premier League.
"He has already made it clear in his interviews that he went to Newcastle to be a legend like Alan Shearer. He wants to leave his name in the history of the club.”
