'A player not being for sale doesn't mean they won't leave the club'
- Published
BBC Radio Newcastle's Matthew Raisbeck and former Magpies defender John Anderson have been discussing the speculation around the future of Bruno Guimaraes after he told Newcastle United he wishes to explore a move to Premier League rivals Arsenal.
"The truth is, I don't know what's going to happen and you're right to reiterate what we know about Newcastle's position, which is they are not inviting offers for their captain and most influential player. They want him to stay, they don't want to sell him," Raisbeck said.
"But as we learned last year, particularly with Alexander Isak, a player not being for sale doesn't mean they won't leave the club.
"If Arsenal want him, they will have to pay the money. And I think there will be a big difference between Newcastle's high, but quite rightly high, valuation of Bruno financially, and what Arsenal may or may not be prepared to pay.
"His influence on Newcastle is massive. Would he have the same level responsibility and same role at Arsenal? But then it's a move to a club that's just won the title that will probably nearly always be in the Champions League, will be competing for honours.
"He could get a big move financially, maybe in his 30's. What about Newcastle? Would this be an opportune time to sell him? Probably not for football reasons, but for the money maybe so.
"My view is that you lose far more than you gain if you let Bruno go, particularly after some of those big stars have already departed.
Anderson added: "People are talking about £100m, not a chance. I don't think there's any way in the world Arsenal are going to pay that.
"Do I think Arsenal will pay £80m? Probably not. So I think it's one of those situations. There's been loads of stuff written about 50m quid, he's most definitely worth more than that, but will you get £100m for a 29-year-old? Maybe £75m is the most realistic, possibly."
