Romano: Newcastle in talks “in the last 24 hrs” to sign £27m star, he’s got Guimaraes vibes…

Romano: Newcastle has been in discussions “in the last 24 hours” to acquire a £27m star, reminiscent of Guimaraes vibes.

Nothing lasts forever, yet Newcastle United likely did not foresee the unraveling of the Eddie Howe era, especially after lifting the Carabao Cup just a year prior, defeating Liverpool in the final at Wembley.

However, the past year and a bit have been challenging for the Toon supporters. They have not merely been put through the wringer but rather the shredder, with Matthias Jaissle picking up the tattered remnants of Howe’s project at the beginning of this month.

If the Magpies aspire to return to European competition after finishing 12th in the Premier League last season, they certainly have a significant task ahead. Howe has departed, along with Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali, and Bruno Guimaraes.

The departure of the skipper, sold to league champions Arsenal for £75m, may have been the most painful. However, it is understandable, as the Brazilian midfielder dedicated himself fully to the club, concluding his tenure as a modern legend.

How Guimaraes led Newcastle to success

A year ago, Alexander Isak forced his exit from St. James’ Park, signing with Liverpool in a record-breaking £125m transfer. This move was fraught with toxicity, yet Bruno maintained his professionalism throughout this summer’s exhausting saga.

Guimaraes was present from the beginning. Howe brought him in from Lyon for £40m when the PIF era was just commencing. No player made more appearances under Howe than Guimaraes, and club legend Alan Shearer once remarked that the 28-year-old was “at the heart of everything good” for the team.

Whether Guimaraes thrives at Arsenal is irrelevant; what truly matters is that he established himself as a superstar for Newcastle, serving as the essential linchpin for the Toon, leading them into various Champions League campaigns and even lifting the Carabao Cup as captain.

Newcastle has secured two talented midfielders to help mitigate the loss of Guimaraes and Tonali. With Sean Steur, 18, and Aladji Bamba, 20, Jaissle has acquired a skilled playmaker and a ball-winning machine.

However, the Brazilian’s leadership qualities have arguably surpassed his technical skills on the pitch. He has frequently driven his team forward during challenging moments, and while Newcastle has made astute signings this summer, the newcomers lack the Premier League experience and strength to take charge.

As the 2026/27 season approaches, it is evident that Newcastle must secure a new midfield leader.

Newcastle is once again pursuing a new midfielder.

The team currently lacks sufficient experience in the midfield, especially with their two key players having moved to London for new opportunities.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Tynesiders have “reached out again in the last 24 hours” regarding Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha, aiming to intercept Aston Villa’s attempt to sign the Portuguese player after their proposal was turned down by the German club.

Reports indicate that the Bundesliga champions are asking for approximately £27m for Palhinha this summer.

At 30 years old, Palhinha played a crucial role for a struggling Tottenham side last season. While he may not excel in creativity or ball distribution, he could step in as the leader of a Newcastle midfield that is currently lacking direction.

Though he may not be a naturally gifted technician, Palhinha possesses significant experience in commanding the midfield. Analyst Marcus Bring has praised him as a “defensive monster,” noting his impressive number of challenges in the Premier League over the years. His presence would add much-needed authority to a Magpies midfield that is in need of strength following Guimaraes’ departure.

As a seasoned player, Palhinha may not match Guimaraes’ exceptional technical prowess, but he is a resilient and determined midfielder who sets a strong example for his teammates.

He would at least partially compensate for the absence of the Brazilian’s skill, which is no longer central to St. James’ Park. Last season in the Premier League, Bruno averaged 2.1 tackles and 5.8 duels per game, which are impressive statistics.

Overall, it’s almost top-notch. Palhinha at Spurs recorded an average of 5.8 duels and 3.3 tackles per game.

Newcastle has confirmed that Burn will serve as captain for the upcoming season, following Guimaraes’s departure from the club.

This seems to be a wise decision, but on the field, at the core of a new strategy, Palhinha could deliver the motivational call that propels this team toward a revival.