Manchester United are reportedly in advanced talks for Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes, as they look for an ideal successor to outgoing Casemiro this summer
Casemiro tackles Bruno Guimaraes
Bruno Guimaraes could well be the perfect replacement for Casemiro at Manchester United(Image: Getty Images)
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Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes could well make his way to Old Trafford this summer as a perfect successor to Casemiro. The 34-year-old club Manchester United hero announced in January that he will leave the club at the end of the season, despite having an option to extend his tenure by a year based on appearances.
As a result, the club now has a hectic couple of months ahead, as they look for a suitable candidate to fill the void the Brazilian veteran will undoubtedly leave. And while a wealth of names have been tipped for a move to the Theatre of Dreams when the market reopens, from Brighton's Carlos Baleba and Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson to Crystal Palace talent Adam Wharton, it now appears as though Guimaraes is a top priority.
As per Reuters, the Reds are in 'advanced talks' to secure the 28-year-old in a £69million move. It is also claimed that initial contact between United and the player's camp has suggested that both parties are in favour of the move.
But is Guimaraes the right man to pick up where Casemiro will leave off with United? Here, MEN journalists give their verdict...
Jack Flintham
If United were to go out and sign Guimaraes in the summer, that would be a statement of intent. However, it is probably dependent on a couple of factors.
First would be that United qualify for the Champions League, and the second being that Newcastle don't.
Even if Newcastle qualify for the Europa League, the Reds might struggle to prise him away from St James' Park. Should Guimaraes join, he would fit the Jason Wilcox model of signing 'plug and play' players.
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He has been exceptional since moving to the Premier League and is one of the best defensive midfielders in Europe. He is the kind of signing United should be making but at 28, the Reds need to be wary of spending too much.
United are not likely to regain the money they spend on Guimaraes - especially if they agree an £80m fee. But if you compare him to Carlos Baleba, for instance, it is a no-brainer.
Aaron Morris
There's no doubt that Casemiro will leave a major hole when his time at Manchester United comes to a close, and to be completely frank, whoever is brought in as a replacement has incredibly high expectations to live up to. However, after almost a season of deliberating over who would be best suited to succeed him, I'm not sure there's anyone better than Guimaraes.
Incredibly similar in that they're both defensive-minded midfielders who are heavy in the tackle, Guimaraes has an extra layer of versatility in looking just as dangerous on the attack - a pure box-to-box player. Despite his age, I feel as though Guimaraes still has his best years ahead of him, and should he be serious about clinching any form of silverware outside of the Carabao Cup, a move to Old Trafford is a real no brainer.
Newcastle have proven time and time again that while they can qualify for the Champions League, they're not a big enough team to hang with Europe's elite. And with the Reds far better placed to qualify for Europe's premier footballing competition for 2026/27 - sitting third to Newcastle's ninth in the Premier League standings - Guimaraes may be on the lookout for a move just to ensure that he plays outside of domestic competitions next season.
Bruna Reis
Without question, Casemiro will be a major loss for the Reds next season, but with the quality of midfielders in world football today, Guimaraes stands out as the ideal replacement for his fellow Brazilian. United would be getting the complete package with Guimaraes, who has been exceptional since arriving in the Premier League and has consistently shown he can dominate games at the highest level.
The 28-year-old offers the blend of defensive intelligence, technical quality and Premier League readiness that United urgently need to ensure a smooth transition in midfield. He reads danger well, progresses the ball with confidence, and brings a level of consistency and leadership that would immediately benefit the club.
While Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson are all promising young midfielders with high ceilings, they may lack the experience, reliability and fully rounded midfield profile that Guimaraes already possesses. For that reason, I believe he stands a clear level above them as a potential successor to Casemiro.
Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti has previously made clear that Guimaraes is an undisputed starter for the Selecao, and it's easy to see him slotting straight into United's midfield and making a difference if a move to Old Trafford were to materialise.
Kieran Horn
It is becoming very clear that Manchester United need to sign two central midfielders this summer. Even before Casemiro's departure was confirmed, it was clear that depth was needed in the centre of the pitch.
Links to Joao Gomes, Adam Wharton, Bruno Guimaraes, Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba and several others over the last 12 months shows that United are firmly aware of that.
Interest in Guimaraes is relatively new however, with it clear a market opportunity is there this summer if Newcastle United miss out on Champions League qualification and Michael Carrick helps seal a return to Europe's top club competition.
Given the possibility of getting him at a cheaper price, especially with Newcastle's own financial issues, United should grab it with both hands. With Guimaraes a goal threat from midfield and progressive ball-carrier, a player with an eye for a killer forward pass is needed.
Wharton is the undoubtedly the best fit for that and though signing both would likely cost in the region of £200million, United forked out a similar amount to reshape their attack and that was without the added funds from European football so there is now reason as to why similar cannot be done in midfield.
Connor O'Neill
Bruno Guimaraes is the sort of statement transfer that Manchester United should be making. He's one of the best midfielders in Europe who could easily play for Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City or Real Madrid.
He ticks every box. Proven in the Premier League and Champions League and the perfect age to kick on and get even better.
United will miss Casemiro. He’s been brilliant this season but now is the perfect time for him to move on and for the club to add some younger blood to the squad.
The beauty with Guimaraes as well is that whoever ends up in charge of United next season would want him in their team. He is the sort of player every manager and supporter wants in their midfield.
Newcastle won’t fold easily, and you would suspect it would take more than the £69m being suggested to get a deal over the line, but if the Reds were to secure the services of Guimaraes this summer, then it would be one huge coup.
Patrick Austen-Hardy
Timing is a curious thing in football. Casemiro's arrival was widely slammed as a panic transfer and a big, expensive mistake - now the United fans are pining for him to stay for "one more year."
Not only would Bruno Guimaraes be the perfect person to replace Casemiro now, he perhaps should be been bought instead of the Real Madrid legend. In January 2022, when the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City had been linked with Guimaraes, Newcastle swept in and signed the Brazilian from Lyon.
United should have been jostling with the Magpies for their signature. However, signing him this summer would be better late than never. Guimaraes has all of the same qualities as Casemiro, except age is on his side.
With 41 international caps for Brazil, he combines his immense technical ability with an industriousness which breaks up opposing attacks and ensures he does not get pushed around in the midfield. If United qualify for the Champions League, they will need this energy and bite, especially with the game becoming more and more physical.
United will likely need to sign another midfielder as well as Guimaraes, and Wolves' Andre may be the perfect bargain transfer for the Reds, particularly with the Midlanders about to be relegated.