Guardiola to poach highly rated Premier League star from rivals

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has reportedly set his sights on Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, expressing his admiration for the Brazilian talent and hinting at a potential summer move.

Following Manchester City’s historic treble triumph last season, Guardiola initiated squad changes, allowing several players to depart while welcoming new signings. However, it seems the Spanish manager is eager to secure another marquee addition ahead of the upcoming transfer window.

According to reports from Fichajes, Guardiola is keen on acquiring the services of Bruno Guimaraes, who joined Newcastle United from Lyon in January 2022 for a fee of £40 million. With 97 appearances under his belt since his Premier League arrival, Guimaraes has emerged as a standout performer for the Magpies.

Despite Guimaraes’ importance to Newcastle, recent heavy spending by the club has necessitated the sale of key assets to raise funds. As one of their most valuable assets, Guimaraes is reportedly valued at £85 million, with speculation suggesting a £100 million release clause in his contract.

Guardiola has publicly praised Guimaraes, describing him as an “exceptional” holding midfielder ahead of City’s FA Cup quarter-final clash against Newcastle. The City manager highlighted Guimaraes’ aggression and versatility on the pitch, emphasizing his integral role in Lyon’s and Newcastle’s respective projects.

However, despite interest from various clubs, Guimaraes signed a contract extension with Newcastle in October and has expressed his contentment at the club.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Guimaraes expressed his happiness at Newcastle, citing the unwavering support of the fans and his commitment to the team.