Former Newcastle United defender Steven Taylor has delivered a scathing verdict on Bruno Guimaraes' decision to join Arsenal, rating the £75million transfer just one out of 10.
Guimaraes ended his four-year spell at St James' Park during Newcastle's major summer rebuild, signing a four-year contract with the reigning Premier League champions.
However, Taylor cannot understand why the Brazilian midfielder decided to leave Newcastle for Mikel Arteta's side.
Taylor calls Guimaraes move ‘worst decision’
“He's made the worst decision,” Taylor told Stadium Astro. “I don't understand why he'd leave Newcastle to go to Arsenal, but he made his decision. I'd give that transfer 1/10.”
Guimaraes has been clear about his own motivation.
The midfielder believes joining Arsenal gives him the opportunity to compete for major honours and make history at the Emirates.
“I'm at the point of my life, I think I need a challenge like this,” Guimaraes said after completing the transfer. “I want to win trophies.”
His departure formed part of a dramatic transformation at Newcastle, who also sold Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali this summer after Alexander Isak's exit the previous year.
Tonali also criticised after Tottenham move
Taylor was similarly unimpressed by Tonali's £100m transfer to Tottenham.
The Italian has already faced his former club, featuring as Spurs suffered a 2-0 Premier League defeat against Newcastle.
Taylor believes the occasion affected the midfielder.
“He tried too hard and the Newcastle fans gave him hell and the players as well,” he said. “He's usually a problem to play against, but against Newcastle he didn't cause any.”
Guimaraes can expect a similarly hostile reception when Arsenal visit St James' Park in November.
Taylor suggested Newcastle's players will know exactly how to approach former teammates returning to the stadium, arguing that disrupting and unsettling them should be part of the plan.
Alexander Isak experienced that treatment following his own controversial Newcastle departure, receiving heavy boos when he returned to St James' Park last season.
Guimaraes will soon discover whether his Arsenal reunion proves equally uncomfortable.
Key Points
- Steven Taylor has rated Bruno Guimaraes' £75m Arsenal transfer just 1/10.
- The former Newcastle defender called the Brazilian's move the “worst decision”.
- Guimaraes says he joined Arsenal because he wants to win trophies and pursue a new challenge.
- Taylor also criticised Sandro Tonali following his £100m Tottenham move.
- Guimaraes could receive a hostile reception when Arsenal visit Newcastle in November.
What’s Next?
Guimaraes will have the opportunity to answer Taylor's criticism on the pitch as he attempts to establish himself in Arteta's title-winning side.
His return to St James' Park in November already promises to be one of Arsenal's more emotionally charged away fixtures, particularly after Newcastle supporters' reaction to other high-profile departures.
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