Guimaraes payback: Newcastle must swoop for Arsenal’s Nwaneri

Newcastle United must act swiftly as Arsenal prepare to sell 19‑year‑old winger Ethan Nwaneri, a move that could serve as a Guimaraes‑style payback for the Magpies. The Tyneside club, under new manager Matthias Jaissle, sees the English talent as a long‑term solution.

Newcastle’s summer overhaul

Eddie Howe resigned after Newcastle sold three star players this summer, leaving a void in elite talent. Anthony Gordon departed for Barcelona for £70 million, Sandro Tonali moved to Tottenham Hotspur for £100 million, and Bruno Guimaraes joined Arsenal for £75 million. Jaissle inherited a squad forced to focus on youth, with arrivals such as 20‑year‑old Bazoumana Toure, 20‑year‑old Aladji Bamba and 18‑year‑old Sean Streur.

The club’s transfer strategy remains youth‑focused despite the loss of Premier League experience. The emphasis on younger players reflects a long‑term rebuild rather than immediate big‑money signings.

Ethan Nwaneri on the transfer radar

According to Fabrizio Romano, Nwaneri will leave Arsenal before the transfer window closes and has attracted interest from abroad. The English winger spent the second half of last season on loan at Marseille but is not in Mikel Arteta’s plans. Romano noted that AC Milan, several German clubs and Galatasaray have been in contact with Arsenal, and he expects Premier League clubs to move quickly.

At 19, Nwaneri can operate on the right flank or as an attacking midfielder, making him a versatile option for Newcastle. Joe Cole praised him, saying: “Nwaneri, I think is going to be an absolute genius.” I think he’s the most exciting young footballer, at the moment in England and maybe even in Europe, what he’s doing is incredible.” Arteta’s lack of faith is surprising given Nwaneri’s league debut at 15 in September 2022, the youngest ever in top‑flight history.

Potential impact for the Toon Army

Anthony Elanga, signed from Nottingham Forest for £52 million last summer, has struggled to replicate his form, leaving a gap in the right side. Jaissle could turn to Nwaneri if Elanga continues to falter, while Nick Woltemade may lead the line as a traditional target man. Competition for the left wing could see Toure or Harvey Barnes battle for the starting berth, and a new‑look frontline could revive Newcastle’s European qualification hopes.

Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs / Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith By Matthew Guyett PM GMT+1. Matthew Guyett is a journalist for GiveMeSport, covering Premier League and European football, and he graduated from the University of Essex in 2022 with a Creative Writing degree before joining GiveMeSport as a freelancer in August 2024. He began his writing career with Sportskeeda in 2022, working for their European football team for nearly three years, covering news, transfers, match reports and fan reactions, and his work has garnered over 25 million reads, including a viral story with 724 000 reads. Us, here, give readers insight into the sport across Europe and beyond.

If Newcastle secures Nwaneri, Jaissle could reshape the squad and target a return to European competition next season. The club’s youth‑centric policy may finally pay off, offering fans a fresh narrative after a turbulent summer.