‘He is’ - Pep Guardiola’s telling Bruno Guimaraes admission as shock Newcastle United loan claims emerge

Pep Guardiola previously purred over Bruno Guimaraes - with reports claiming Manchester City are lining up a fresh approach for the Newcastle United talisman.

Toon chiefs inserted a £100million release clause into the Brazlians’ contract last summer. However, potential suitors had until June 24 to trigger that clause, with negotiations now firmly in Newcastle’s hands.

CEO Darren Eales revealed last week that Guimaraes - as well as Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon - will start the season on Tyneside. Lewis Hall aside, an already pre-agreed deal, the Magpies have yet to spend a penny in the transfer market, but selling Yankuba Minteh and Elliot Anderson has allowed them to keep their star assets.

But the Daily Star claimed on Sunday that Man City could look to tempt Newcastle with a cash-plus-player offer for Guimaraes. The report suggests the Premier League champions would be open to offering up to £80million, with youngsters Rico Lewis or Oscar Bobb thrown in on loan as part of the deal.

Bobb could appeal to Newcastle, with Eddie Howe keen to add a winger to his ranks. That would do little to negate the impact of losing Guimaraes, however, arguably the most important cog at St James’ Park.

Guardiola already outlined his admiration for the midfielder ahead of Newcastle’s FA Cup defeat at the Etihad in March. A previous post-match interaction between the pair in 2023 also provoked speculation. 

“He (Guimaraes) is an exceptional holding midfielder,” Guardiola told reporters. “He is aggressive, with the ball or without the ball.

“At set-pieces, he’s aggressive and is a real, complete holding midfielder since being at Lyon.

(He is) now at a club who want to grow up and up. I am sure he will be part of the project for the next few years. Definitely.”