According to The Telegraph, Newcastle United's latest £30 million signing is not a replacement for Guimaraes.
According to The Telegraph, the arrival of 20-year-old Alagie Bamba is focused on the future. At first glance, Newcastle's decision to sign Bamba seemed to give Arsenal new hope in their ongoing pursuit of Guimaraes this summer. However, the opposite is true for Arsenal, the Premier League champions, who are eager to sign the Brazilian international and have been pressing Newcastle through intermediaries to facilitate negotiations.
Newcastle United have signed two midfielders this summer, but neither can replace their captain. Bamba, 20, is a defensive midfielder — or, in more modern terms, a No. 6 — who will replace Tonali, who moved to Tottenham Hotspur for £100 million earlier this month.
They have also brought in Sean Sturh - who has impressed the coaching staff with his excellent technique and passing ability in training - and he is considered Ajax's most promising midfielder in recent decades.
The 18-year-old has only played one season of professional football in the Netherlands, and his arrival is due to Joe Willock's departure this summer, with Turkish club Besiktas eager to sign the former Arsenal player.
Sturh may develop into Guimaraes' successor in the next two to three years, but he is still a teenager, and this time last year he was still playing for Ajax's youth team. His body is still developing and he is not yet ready to start every Premier League game.
If Guimaraes were to be sold - which seems unlikely given the huge gap between Newcastle's valuation and the transfer fee Arsenal would be willing to pay for a player who will turn 29 later this year - Newcastle would have to re-enter the transfer market to fill the huge void he would leave.
Newcastle's signings this summer have instead made them more aware of the importance of retaining their leaders and best players. As it stands, their preferred midfield trio will be Guimaraes, Joelinton (or Jacob Ramsey) and Lewis Miley. This is a strong squad, capable of coping with Tonali's departure.
Bamba and Sturh will serve as substitutes, gradually integrating into the team without too much pressure or expectation.
The plan is for them to train daily with players like Guimaraes, learn from them, and understand the team's needs. Of course, they will also get playing time. Injuries and suspensions will have an impact, and with cup competitions to consider, rotation is necessary.
However, as club insiders emphasize, Newcastle does not want these young players to experience the harsh realities of the Premier League too early, lest it backfire.
The Telegraph Sport has extensively reported on Newcastle's transfer strategy this summer, and Bamba's arrival further demonstrates the shift in the team's transfer direction under Sporting Director Ross Wilson.
They scout promising young players from across Europe, aiming to sign the most talented players in each position, regardless of their first-team appearances. They are not only focused on discovering new stars but also bringing in players whose full potential has yet to be realized.
This is a bold strategy, but also full of risks. These young players have the potential to become superstars, but nothing is guaranteed, and it's clear that some of them are not yet ready to go straight into the Premier League starting lineup.
Newcastle United have completed four signings this summer, with an average age of around 19, and are expected to sign at least three more players before the transfer window closes. A goalkeeper - Newcastle United withdrew their pursuit of Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford last week, who is now attracting interest from Leeds United - and two full-backs seem to be the most likely targets. If Jacob Murphy is sold, a right winger may also be added to the list.
But you have to consider that these new signings have very limited first-team experience. Goalkeeper Evan Jaouen (£18.5 million) has only played one season of first-team football in the French second division. He will not be the starting goalkeeper for the new season.
Winger Bazoumana Touré (£43 million) spent a season and a half at Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga, having started his career in Sweden.
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