Newcastle United were the big spenders from the Premier League in January and a large chunk of their investment was used in bringing Bruno Guimarães to St James’ Park.
The midfielder arrived from Lyon towards the end of January, and after coming off the bench in the first few matches, he started the Tyneside club’s last three matches. In his first start, the Brazil international scored the winner against Southampton.
Tite included the 24-year-old in his squad for Seleção’s fixtures against Chile and Bolivia and this gave Globo Esporte an opportunity to interview the player.
“It was all very fast. In four, five days we solved everything. I had little time. I never hid my desire to play in the Premier League. It has always been my dream and my goal,” he said.
“It was a risk, but I also believe in the project. The fans are passionate about the team, it’s different. We strengthened well. Next season I believe we will strengthen very well to seek, who knows, a spot in the Champions League, in the Europa League.
“From now on, it’s a team to compete to be the Premier League champions. I believe a lot in the project and I hope that everything works out as it was passed on to me.
“Taking the example of Manchester City, Agüero, Yaya Touré and David Silva were names enshrined in the club’s history because they believed in the project from the beginning. Here we come, me and Trippier, who came out of Atlético Madrid as a champion.”
It’s not the first time players have referenced the Manchester City project when talking about Newcastle United, and it would seem this is something the Magpies are using as part of their sales pitch to bring signings in.
Ambitions will obviously be huge at the club ahead of the coming season, and a chase for Europe certainly can’t be ruled out if the summer window goes well. Newcastle will also have the advantage of skipping European football next season, meaning less games in comparison to their rivals.
