Bruno Guimaraes has given his backing to Newcastle United's transfer strategy when it comes to targeting players for the future. The Magpies continue to seek out senior additions to strengthen Eddie Howe's first-team squad, while also remain on the hunt for exciting young prospects.
Newcastle acted fast to land Garang Kuol from Australian side Central Coast Mariners last year and moved equally as quick to land Gambian teenager Yankuba Minteh earlier this summer. The two attacking outlets are expected to spend time away from Tyneside in the next year or two as they learn, grow and develop before trying to force their way into Howe's plans.
“What they [Newcastle] do is pick up kids for the future. They’re picking up 21, 22-year-olds, who in about five years will be at their best, you know?" Guimaraes told the Charla Podcast.
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"I think that’s really cool. And another thing: you can’t spend like crazy because of financial fair play. In England it’s kind of complicated.”
Newcastle's director of football Dan Ashworth has made no secret of his desire to bolster the youth ranks on Tyneside after successfully overseeing a similar operation at Brighton. As such, the likes of Charlie McArthur, Jordan Hackett, Jude Smith, Alex Murphy and Amadou Diallo can be added to the list of young players signed by the Magpies in the past 12 months.
Newcastle have no plans to stop their youth recruitment drive and are keen on Irish youngster Kevin Zefi, currently at Inter Milan. The north east outfit also tried to poach Chris Rigg from rivals Sunderland before he signed a new two-year scholarship deal.
"It's not sustainable for us to keep going out and buying 'here and now players' - we have to buy some potential and we have to get some potential through the building," Ashworth told Sky Sports earlier this year.
"We've already got some in the academy now but we have to try and invest and upgrade that so Eddie has a nice problem to have. He's got a lot of good young players coming through the system trying to get in the team as well."
