- 7 hours ago
EXCLUSIVE: Man City copy Arsenal stance over €117.5m Bruno Guimaraes transfer
Steve Kay
- Updated: 28 May 2024 22:28 BST
- 4 min read
Exclusive
Manchester City are interested in Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, but like Arsenal, are unlikely to pay the €117.5 million (£100m) release clause attached to his contract.
Bruno Guimaraes can exit his contract with the St James’ Park side so long as a club triggers the release fee by making an offer between the end of May and the last week of June, but it appears increasingly improbable that such a deal will be made.
After that, any negotiations in July or August will require direct talks with Newcastle, who will then have full control over the situation.
READ MORE: What are Arsenal's summer transfer plans? Arteta's blueprint for Premier League glory revealed
Current ETV
Bruno Guimarães
DM (CL), M (C)
Newcastle Utd.
Bruno Guimarães
DM (CL), M (C)
Newcastle Utd.
ETV Range
€41.8M - €69.7M
According to sources close to the deal, the fee would need to be significantly lowered for Man City to complete a transfer the would equal their club record. Newcastle have taken a strong stance to indicate that this will not happen.
Furthermore, it would require Bruno Guimaraes to accept a backup role to Rodri in the Man City midfield – another major barrier to a potential deal.
It has previously been reported by Ben Jacobs that Arsenal will only entertain a move for the 26-year-old former Lyon player should he be made available below his release fee.
READ MORE: Major TWIST over Guardiola’s future as Man City to sell ‘one of the best in the world’
After that, any negotiations in July or August will require direct talks with Newcastle, who will then have full control over the situation.
These attributes, which have seen him score seven goals and create 10 more in 50 appearances this season, have not been, however, enough to persuade Pep Guardiola to trigger his release clause.
Man City’s summer transfer priority
This summer, City's major expenditure will focus on strengthening their defence. City are targeting a left-back, a right-back and an attacking midfielder, especially with the Lucas Paqueta deal now seemingly off the table.
Matching a club-record fee on Guimaraes does not make financial sense unless issues of game time and price are resolved.
Ideally, Pep Guardiola would prefer signing Bayern legend Joshua Kimmich, who could play both as a right-back and in midfield, providing rest for Rodri, especially with the new, expanded Champions League group format.
