In a thrilling showdown, Bruno Guimarães, the shining star of Newcastle, is set to face Barça for the first time at St. James’ Park during the Champions League opener.
Once a coveted target for Deco, Guimarães was eyed to fill the void left by Sergio Busquets after his move to Inter Miami.
However, the staggering €100 million price tag on the Brazilian’s head put the brakes on any potential deal. Despite Barcelona’s attempts to leverage financial strategies, they fell short of securing the midfielder, who has always dreamed of donning the Blaugrana jersey.
If Barça had been in a pre-pandemic financial situation, they would have jumped at the chance to sign Guimarães without hesitation.
Internally, there was a consensus that he would thrive in Barcelona’s tactical environment, enhancing his skills as a midfielder.
Barcelona’s Financial Constraints and Youth Academy Solutions
Interestingly, Guimarães has always felt most at home in a double pivot role, akin to a more attack-focused midfielder. Currently, he showcases this style in the Brazilian national team under Ancelotti, but Deco believed he could excel as a lone pivot alongside two interiors at Barça.
Yet, no one at the Ciutat Esportiva is lamenting the missed opportunity. With strict financial regulations enforced by Javier Tebas, the club pivoted to their youth academy, La Masia, which continues to produce talented players, saving the club a massive €100 million in the process.
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