Newcastle tipped to sign their own Henderson after £42m update – pundit
Noel Whelan has suggested Newcastle United could sign their own Jordan Henderson in the shape of Bruno Guimaraes.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 24-year-old can bring some much-needed “stability” to the Magpies’ midfield.
Football Insider first revealed on Wednesday (26 January) that Newcastle had agreed a deal to sign Guimaraes from Lyon.
As reported by the Athletic on Friday evening (28 January), Newcastle have settled on a fee worth a potential £42million (€50.5million).
A medical is scheduled and head of recruitment Steve Nickson is reportedly bound for South America to oversee the final stages of the move.
Whelan suggested Guimaraes’ arrival would help Newcastle “control” games, as Henderson does for Liverpool.
Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “I think he’s somebody that can boss it, run it, dominate it, more to the point, with his experience.
“Talking to the other players in and around him, when they can go, when they need to sit. Someone who can control the game for Newcastle.
“You look at Liverpool, the way they do it with Jordan Henderson, Thiago, all these sorts of players you need to have in your side.
“They probably got unnoticed a little bit because of the good work that the forward line do. They take all the headlines.
“But you need to have these sort of players in. I think it’s a really good buy if they can manage to get this over the line. You need to command that midfielder and I think that’s something that he’ll bring.
“Stability, experience and that passing is vital. You control the game from the midfield area. To get a little bit more experience, a Brazil international as well? I think this will cheer up the fans no end.”
Newcastle currently have the likes of Jonjo Shelvey, Sean Longstaff, Joe Willock and Jeff Hendrick available in midfield.
Joelinton and Isaac Hayden are both currently out through injury.
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