{"id":256694,"date":"2026-08-07T18:57:14","date_gmt":"2026-08-07T18:57:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/07\/ross-wilson-now-driving-newcastle-move-for-ex-bayern-ace-who-captains-his-country\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T18:57:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T18:57:14","slug":"ross-wilson-now-driving-newcastle-move-for-ex-bayern-ace-who-captains-his-country","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/08\/07\/ross-wilson-now-driving-newcastle-move-for-ex-bayern-ace-who-captains-his-country\/","title":{"rendered":"Ross Wilson now driving Newcastle move for ex-Bayern ace who captains his country"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Newcastle<\/a> arguably cannot replace Bruno Guimar\u00e3es<\/a>, but sporting director Ross Wilson will try his best as he drives a move for an interesting new target.<\/p>\n

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Guimar\u00e3es is leaving for Arsenal in a deal worth \u00a375 million after becoming Newcastle\u2019s captain, making 195 appearances and helping end the club\u2019s long trophy drought by lifting the Carabao Cup.<\/p>\n

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\n <\/picture>REUTERS\/Scott Heppell<\/small><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

His exit follows the departures of Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon and Eddie Howe during a brutal summer of change at St James\u2019 Park.<\/p>\n

New head coach Matthias Jaissle therefore needs players who can settle the group quickly, and Marseille’s Pierre-Emile H\u00f8jbjerg<\/a> potentially fits the bill.<\/p>\n

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Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg’s key moments for Marseille last season<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n

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Category<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Date or period<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Competition<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

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Detail<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

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League record<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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2025\/26 season<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Ligue 1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

32 appearances and 30 starts<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Minutes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2025\/26 season<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Ligue 1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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2,715 minutes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Attacking return<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2025\/26 season<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Ligue 1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Four goals and five assists<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Discipline<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2025\/26 season<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Ligue 1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Four yellow cards and no red cards<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Goal against Paris FC<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

23 August 2025<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Ligue 1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Scored in the 81st minute as Marseille won 5-2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Goal-line clearance against Newcastle<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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25 November 2025<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Champions League<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Cleared Malick Thiaw\u2019s early header off the line before Marseille completed a 2-1 victory<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

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Goal and assist against Rennes<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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17 May 2026<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Ligue 1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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Scored after two minutes and later assisted Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in a 3-1 win<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n

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.<\/p>\n

He made 254 Premier League appearances across those two clubs and played 184 times for Spurs in all competitions.<\/p>\n

During his first Tottenham campaign, H\u00f8jbjerg completed every minute of the Premier League season. Only Rodri completed more passes that year, showing why Jos\u00e9 Mourinho trusted him to organise possession and protect the defence.<\/p>\n

H\u00f8jbjerg 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.<\/p>\n

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\n \"Olympique\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

That versatility remained clear in France last season.<\/p>\n

When Marseille beat the Magpies 2-1 in the Champions League last November, H\u00f8jbjerg cleared Malick Thiaw\u2019s header off the line during a crucial spell of the game.<\/p>\n

He would not be a direct replacement for Guimar\u00e3es.<\/p>\n

The Brazilian offers greater invention around the penalty area, but H\u00f8jbjerg would instead bring discipline, experience and authority to a midfield losing several major personalities.<\/p>\n

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\"Pierre\n <\/picture>
Pierre Hojbjerg.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

That possibility has now moved onto Newcastle\u2019s recruitment agenda.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n Ross Wilson driving Newcastle move for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n
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\"Pierre-Emile\n <\/picture>
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.\u00a0<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna reports that H\u00f8jbjerg is on the club\u2019s midfield shortlist.<\/p>\n

Aouna says sporting director Ross Wilson is driving the move and wants an experienced option after Guimar\u00e3es\u2019 departure.<\/p>\n

H\u00f8jbjerg only joined the French club permanently last year and is tied down till 2028, meaning Marseille can demand a fairly significant fee.<\/p>\n

Marseille\u2019s signed him from Tottenham for around \u00a316 million, while his age limits his long-term resale value, but for Wilson, the decision comes down to Newcastle\u2019s immediate needs.<\/p>\n

H\u00f8jbjerg would not represent the future of Jaissle\u2019s midfield, but he could provide the experience required to guide it through a difficult transition.<\/p>\n

After losing their manager, captain and two other leading players, that quality may prove every bit as important as potential.<\/p>\n