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Newcastle arguably cannot replace Bruno Guimarães, but sporting director Ross Wilson will try his best as he drives a move for an interesting new target.
Guimarães is leaving for Arsenal in a deal worth £75 million after becoming Newcastle’s captain, making 195 appearances and helping end the club’s long trophy drought by lifting the Carabao Cup.
REUTERS/Scott Heppell
His exit follows the departures of Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon and Eddie Howe during a brutal summer of change at St James’ Park.
New head coach Matthias Jaissle therefore needs players who can settle the group quickly, and Marseille's Pierre-Emile Højbjerg potentially fits the bill.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's key moments for Marseille last season
Category
Date or period
Competition
Detail
League record
2025/26 season
Ligue 1
32 appearances and 30 starts
Minutes
2025/26 season
Ligue 1
2,715 minutes
Attacking return
2025/26 season
Ligue 1
Four goals and five assists
Discipline
2025/26 season
Ligue 1
Four yellow cards and no red cards
Goal against Paris FC
23 August 2025
Ligue 1
Scored in the 81st minute as Marseille won 5-2
Goal-line clearance against Newcastle
25 November 2025
Champions League
Cleared Malick Thiaw’s early header off the line before Marseille completed a 2-1 victory
Goal and assist against Rennes
17 May 2026
Ligue 1
Scored after two minutes and later assisted Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in a 3-1 win
The Denmark captain, who was also once on the books at Bayern Munich, turned 31 this week and has already spent eight seasons in English football with Southampton and Tottenham.
He made 254 Premier League appearances across those two clubs and played 184 times for Spurs in all competitions.
During his first Tottenham campaign, Højbjerg completed every minute of the Premier League season. Only Rodri completed more passes that year, showing why José Mourinho trusted him to organise possession and protect the defence.
Højbjerg reads danger, keeps the ball moving and gives more adventurous midfielders a stable platform. He can operate as a number six, a number eight or alongside another holding player.
That versatility remained clear in France last season.
When Marseille beat the Magpies 2-1 in the Champions League last November, Højbjerg cleared Malick Thiaw’s header off the line during a crucial spell of the game.
He would not be a direct replacement for Guimarães.
The Brazilian offers greater invention around the penalty area, but Højbjerg would instead bring discipline, experience and authority to a midfield losing several major personalities.
Pierre Hojbjerg.
That possibility has now moved onto Newcastle’s recruitment agenda.
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna reports that Højbjerg is on the club’s midfield shortlist.
Aouna says sporting director Ross Wilson is driving the move and wants an experienced option after Guimarães’ departure.
Højbjerg only joined the French club permanently last year and is tied down till 2028, meaning Marseille can demand a fairly significant fee.
Marseille’s signed him from Tottenham for around £16 million, while his age limits his long-term resale value, but for Wilson, the decision comes down to Newcastle’s immediate needs.
Højbjerg would not represent the future of Jaissle’s midfield, but he could provide the experience required to guide it through a difficult transition.
After losing their manager, captain and two other leading players, that quality may prove every bit as important as potential.
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