Newcastle United are reportedly close to signing Brazilian midfield maestro Bruno Guimaraes, with their €40 million bid accepted by Lyon.
According to Italian transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, Newcastle United have agreed a deal in the region of €40 million with Lyon for their Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes. The Brazilian, who is currently in South America on international duty, is said to be keen on the move to St. James’ Park and will undergo a medical in his homeland on Wednesday.
Newcastle United are on the verge of making their third major signing of the January transfer window as they continue to reinforce their squad to boost their Premier League survival bid. Having sorted out their right-back and striker department by adding Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood, central midfield looks to be next in line, with the Magpies set to sign Brazilian midfield sensation Bruno Guimaraes.
The 24-year-old has been a standout performer for Lyon since arrovomg in early 2020 from Athletico Paranaense for a fee of €20 million. The French club took a risky roll of the dice, but it has paid dividends handsomely, and it seems they have unearthed another gem.
The Lyon playmaker has made 71 appearances for the French outfit, notching up three goals and eight assists in the process. Guimaraes has also impressed this term with his aggression, work-rate and progressiveness, making 25 appearances for Lyon in all competitions while also recording six assists.
Indeed, the Brazilian is one of the most sought-after commodities in the transfer market and has garnered some serious interest among the top clubs across Europe, with Bayern Munich, PSG and Real Madrid keeping close track of his progress. Arsenal have also shown interest in signing him, but it is Newcastle United who have stepped forward with a formal bid and look to be closing in on securing the 24-year-old’s signature.
Having conceded a whopping 43 times in the league after 22 games, central defensive reinforcements is a priority for Newcastle. However, they can make do by strengthening further up the spine in the defensive midfield area, given the lack of dynamism in their midfield options. Furthermore, Isaac Hayden’s recent injury has left Eddie Howe light in the midfield department.
Signing someone of Bruno Guimaraes’s pedigree and potential would be a huge coup and an exciting addition for the Magpies. He is very much a hybrid central midfielder. On paper and statistically, he is a defensive midfielder, but he plays more like a playmaker gifted with supreme passing and line-breaking ability.
In Guimaraes, Howe will have a midfield workhorse who can complement the attributes of his current roster very well and would offer stability in front of the backline. As it stands, Newcastle have yet to finalise personal terms with Guimaraes, but that is unlikely to be an issue given the significance of the substantial long-term contracts they are offering in the market.
