Barcelona are reportedly among the clubs that are interested in securing the services of Bruno Guimaraes, who is contemplating his future at Lyon.
According to a report from Spanish outlet AS, Barcelona are keen on signing Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes in the summer transfer window and are keeping close tabs on his situation at Ligue 1 club Olympique Lyon.
Guimaraes spent the early years of his footballing journey in his homeland, Brazil. Having had stints at the youth teams of Vasco da Gama, Fluminense and GO Audax, the midfielder made his senior breakthrough at Athletico Paranaense, for whom he made 84 appearances upon joining in 2017 before he made the switch to Lyon in the January transfer window last year.
Since arriving, Guimaraes slotted right into the starting lineup with Les Gones, quickly developing into a key player in the middle of the park with his ability to cut out attacks and distribute the ball accurately. However, a strained relationship with manager Rudi Garcia meant that the 23-year-old had to go through a phase when he was in and out of the lineup during the 2020/21 campaign.
Guimaraes ended the season with 33 appearances Ligue 1, with just 21 of those being from the start. The midfielder contributed three goals and an assist and even though Garcia has now departed the club, the 23-year-old is said to be contemplating his future in Ligue 1, with the team having failed to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for next season.
A number of clubs are, thus, keeping a close eye on the Brazilian’s situation, with Barcelona said to be one among them. The Catalans are already set to sign one Lyon player this summer, with Memphis Depay poised to complete a Bosman move in the coming days and they could be preparing for another raid on the French giants for Guimaraes.
Barcelona, heading into the summer transfer window, are looking at reinforcements in the middle of the park. Even though Georginio Wijnaldum is set to sign on a free transfer from Liverpool, the fact that Sergio Busquets is not getting any younger means that the Blaugrana need to put in a long-term succession plan in place for the club legend.
In addition, last summer’s signing Miralem Pjanic is staring at an uncertain future at Camp Nou after a disappointing debut season. The Bosnian is reportedly fielding offers from the likes of Chelsea, and could very well be out of his way this summer. So, the signing of another defensive midfielder like Guimaraes would certainly hold them in good stead in the immediate sense as well as in the long run, given as he is just 23.
However, Barcelona may have to face competition from German giants Borussia Dortmund, with the Black and Yellows said to be plotting a €30 million swoop for Guimaraes. It now remains to be seen if the Cules decide to formalise their interest in the 23-year-old midfielder, who has a contract with Lyon till the summer of 2024.
