Bruno Guimaraes Of Newcastle United, in an Arsenal kit, during the Newcastle United v S.L Benfica UEFA Champions League Round 1 League stage match at St. James Park, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England on 21 October 2025 / Silhouette of Juventus' Dusan Vlahovic in a circular inset

Newcastle United have the task of replacing Bruno Guimaraes as he joins Arsenal.Imago

Newcastle close in on midfielder who ranks better than Bruno Guimaraes for key data metrics

Correspondent AUTHORITY Football journalist with experience at the Edinburgh Evening News and GRV Media; Masters graduate from the University of Derby. FOCUS Scottish Premiership coverage with specialist knowledge of Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, Aberdeen, and Motherwell. THE INSIGHT Jack utilises a network of club and industry contacts across the Scottish Premiership to deliver verified, high-speed reporting. He provides the tactical and transfer insight behind the headlines to ensure fans get the full story as it happens.

Published on:

16 Aug 2026, 8:00 am

Newcastle United are stepping up their interest in Bayern Munich’s Palhinha as the transfer deadline edges closer.

The Magpies are prepared to sign the 31-year-old midfielder on a permanent deal after he was made available for a summer transfer.

Newcastle are in talks with Bayern after they failed to bring in Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

Palhinha had favoured a move to Aston Villa, but the German giants have refused to accept a loan deal for the Portugal international.

Matthias Jaissle is in desperate need of a new midfielder this summer after the exits of Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes.

If all goes through, Palhinha could become the Magpies’ sixth signing of the summer.

Is Palhinha good enough to make an impact at Newcastle?

Last season, Palhinha spent the campaign on loan at Tottenham Hotspur.

While he was far from the worst performer in the squad, he was still part of a team that were almost relegated from the Premier League.

Nevertheless, Palhinha still managed to produce some solid stats in the top-flight last season.

According to Fotmob on 15 August, he averaged 0.20 goals, a 0.11 xG, 1.35 shots, 0.37 shots on target, 7.91 duels won with a 61.7 per cent overall success rate, 1.47 aerial duels won with a 58.1 per cent overall success rate, 4.51 tackles, 1.23 interceptions and 2.38 clearances per 90 minutes in the Premier League.

As a result, Newcastle could still be on track to sign a very solid player this summer.

Newcastle told to sign 'two players to replace Bruno Guimaraes' as talks advance over double deal

How does Palhinha compare to Bruno Guimaraes?

While it is always going to be hard for Newcastle to replace Guimaraes this summer, Palhinha may not be a terrible replacement.

According to Fotmob, the former Magpies captain was averaging 0.33 goals, a 0.21 xG, 1.54 shots, 0.84 shots on target, 6.16 duels won with a 50.5 per cent overall success rate, 0.48 aerial duels won with a 37.1 per cent overall success rate, 2.27 tackles, 0.55 interceptions and 1.32 clearances per 90 minutes in the Premier League.

Therefore, while Palhinha might not provide as much in attack, he can help Newcastle secure their backline ahead of the new season.

Nevertheless, it remains to be seen if the Magpies are able to get a deal over the line for the midfielder, with Aston Villa still lurking.

Sandro Tonali