Bruno: To Be, Or Not To Be, That Is The Question
What is the answer?
News that Arsenal believed Bruno could be bought for c£50M due to being informed by 'intermediaries' that Amanda Staveley had agreed that was a fee that would be accepted if Newcastle failed to qualify for the CL - has been debunked by the club.
Newcastle don't want to sell Bruno... well... not unless they receive an offer of c£100M.
Arsenal don't want to pay anywhere near that plus c£300Kpw wages for a player who will soon be 29.
Bruno has told the club he would like to leave for a club that could give him the chance to end his career with the top honours his talent deserves... but understands his importance to the club and their stance on his fee.
So the question is... what next?
To be sold... or not to be sold?
It appears to be all down to Arsenal taking the plunge and meeting Newcastle's asking price... or is it?
Eddie Howe said last season that he only wanted players who are totally committed to Newcastle and if it is true that Bruno would prefer a move to Arsenal that contradicts the statement Howe made.
Bruno is also said to be very emotional after he missed a penalty during Brazil's exit from the WC and - despite being one of the top performers - has received heavy criticism back in his home country.
High emotions often lead to dramatic decisions and it wouldn't surprise me at all if his reaction to Brazil's defeat and early exit was to compare another potential season of struggle and more disappointment at Newcastle, with the glory that could lie at Arsenal.
How will the club react if his desire to leave hardens?
It's not over, until it's over
On the surface it appears that Arsenal won't meet Newcastle's asking fee, or anywhere near it, so that should be the end of the story. Bruno stays.
However, I think this story might still have unturned pages.
His agents case that Bruno has given his all for Newcastle and been a major influence and driving force in two CL qualifications and a LC success and, nearing 29, wants a last chance to earn top dollar and top trophies is not an unfair appraisal.
Bruno has seen Isak, Gordon and Tonali all depart to grab the big dosh and any new contract offered at NUFC will get nowhere near what those three will be earning.
Those exits have also seriously weakened a team that could only finish 12th last season and any hopes that Bruno has of titles and CL success with Newcastle are slim to nil.
There has been talk of Bruno leaving before - especially when he had a fee clause that if met he would be sold. It wasn't met, Bruno stayed, and performed as well as ever.
My worry is that if Bruno's resolve to leave hardens, irrespective of Arsenal not meeting the clubs valuation, Howe could be faced with a player whose motivation and desire to be part of this coming season with Newcastle has evaporated.
Our captain, talisman and cheer leader could turn into an unhappy chappy who sends the wrong signals to the squad and especially the new young recruits.
In those circumstances Howe might decide, very reluctantly, that the best outcome for all is that Bruno is allowed to leave.
I hope that my thoughts on how Bruno could react and how this situation might pan out are completely wrong...
But, I wouldn't be at all surprised if the last page of this story hasn't yet been turned.
And it won't be... until the transfer window is over.
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I've already accepted that Bruno will be off before the season starts to be honest.
I just hope the rest of our business, in terms of bringing players in, is handled well.
Can't have anymore public rejections at the last second. Need to replace Tonali and Bruno with real genuine quality to make sure our midfield isn't weak next season. Need to add to our defence.
If Bruno goes and a lot of the above still needs addressing, I can't see us being in a great position to convince our remaining players that we're the right place for them to achieve their goals, or convince potential incomings.
Plus if we then happened to start the season badly, wouldn't surprise me…
It's clear that a lot of problems are coming home to roost but I believe we are in a better place than this time last year to address them ......but it is likely to take time
Whilst finances are an issue due to our turnover ( increasing from a very low bar under Ashley but not sufficiently narrowing gap on others especially on top 6 earners) there is another massive problem and like stadium delay it can be put at PIF s door mainly
No not getting a so called elite manager its ......succession planning - i know boring
It's seemingly due to their distance both in geographical terms but also the day to day running, decision making and consistent…
Nufc fans say guimaraes is one of the best midfielders in the league , yet how many midfielders are payed more than him in the league? He's propably not even in the top 20 payed CM in the league.
You want an elite player to stay and be happy , then you need to pay top doller and show your competing for the bigger honours. Finishing top 5 and the odd cup is massive for NUFC , but its not for the game's best players.
None of this makes sense. If Stavely told Bruno's agent he could leave for 50m if we didn't qualify for CL why did he not leave that season for 50m. Surely his agents would have been pushing it I'd it was true. Plus why have Arsenal supposedly bid 60 and 65m if they thought he could be bought for 50m. I suspect somebody is telling porkies somewhere.
Also, it's funny this 50m has only seemed to have raised its head since this "super " agent entered the building