Why new Bruno Guimaraes contract could BOOST Liverpool and Real Madrid transfer hopes
Suraj Radia
- 9 Sept 2023 13:32 BST
- 3 min read
Newcastle will attempt to ward off interest from in star midfielder Bruno Guimaraes by handing him a new contract but the likes of Real Madrid and Liverpool could still be given a pathway to signing the Brazilian.
Guimaraes has been a stand out performer for the Magpies since his £42 million move from Lyon in January 2022, grabbing nine goals and six assists in 53 Premier League games and leading Newcastle to Champions League qualification last season.
The 25-year-old impressed for Brazil in their 5-1 win over Bolivia during the international break and his continued growing profile has implored Newcastle to open talks over a new deal.
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Talks have been ongoing for months and Newcastle are said to be ‘close’ to agreeing terms, with The Telegraph stating that significant progress was made this week.
However, while Newcastle are keen on securing the long-term future of a player who will have two years left on his contract next summer, Guimaraes’ representatives are ‘conscious of the risks’ of such an extension and would want a release clause included in any deal.
Newcastle’s owners have previously refused to sanction any release clauses since their takeover in 2021 but The Telegraph claims that any figure in Guimaraes’ deal would be ‘well in excess of £100m’.
Guimaraes happy in Newcastle despite European interest
Chelsea and Liverpool are understood to have enquired about Guimaraes’ availability in the last two transfer windows, while Real have been long-term admirers of the Brazil international, however all interested parties have been told that the player was not for sale at any price.
There is an acceptance that Newcastle will eventually have to sell key players to continue their progress, with Guimaraes likely to be tempted by a move to a team such as Real.
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However, the player has never shown any interest in a move and remains extremely settled on Tyneside, where he and his family have become fan favourites.
Guimaraes is already one of the top earners at St James’ Park but his new contract will likely take him to the figures of Kieran Trippier and Sandro Tonali, who are on wages in excess of £120,000-per-week.
