Manchester City's Bruno Guimaraes transfer plan revealed as Newcastle United kept waiting

Manchester City are unlikely to activate Bruno Guimaraes’ £100million release clause, despite the Brazilian featuring high on their transfer wish list.

Guimaraes has been a transformative signing for Newcastle United since arriving from Lyon in January 2022, quickly establishing himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and possibly even Europe. He is a fans favourite, not just because of his ability but character and personality too.

Indeed, it was no surprise to see him rewarded with a new five-year contract in October last year. But even with a sizeable release clause — active until the end of June — United face a nervous wait regarding his future.

Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal have been linked with Guimaraes but have gradually fallen out of the conversation in recent weeks. The Man City links remain strong but NewcastleWorld understands that meeting his £100m valuation isn’t something they are expected to do - as it stands.

Pep Guardiola has made no secret of his admiration for the 26-year-old. Speaking ahead of City’s FA Cup quarter-final win over Newcastle in March, the Spaniard said: “He is an exceptional holding midfielder. 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 and now at a club who want to grow up and up. I’m sure he’s part of the project for the next years. Definitely.”

However, it is likely the Citizens will commit their summer resources to either strengthening other areas or replacing players with Ederson and Bernardo Silva attracting interest from the Saudi Pro League and Barcelona, respectively, while there is talk surrounding Jack Grealish on the back of an underwhelming campaign that saw him left out of England’s Euro 2024 squad.

City cannot be completely ruled out of making a move for Guimaraes after his release clause expires but crucially, Newcastle would be back in control of his future and able to demand any fee they’d like.

United head coach Eddie Howe has stressed on several occasions that the club don’t want to part with either Guimaraes or Alexander Isak. Both players in the last week have expressed how happy they are on Tyneside, strong evidence that they won’t be pushing for an exit.

Pressures to comply with Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) means Newcastle will have to sell this summer but that doesn’t it has to be Guimaraes or Isak.

“I think I’m at my best moment in my personal life, in my professional life, it all helps a lot, it’s all connected. I think Newcastle is the club that, with all due respect to Lyon, I feel most at home at in Europe,” Guimaraes told the Brazilian. “I’m an idol of the fans, I get a lot of respect from everyone.

“I think it all worked out very well, right? It was a good season, even though the club had a lot of injuries, a lot of suspensions, in short, I think it was a great season for me, one that will stay in my memory, and I hope to have more seasons like that.

“Look, my future, to be honest, is in God’s hands. I have a contract with Newcastle, I’m very happy, as I said, I know how much they like me, I know everything I’ve been doing for the club. In short, I have a contract, I’m happy. I don’t know what can happen, we know everything about Financial Fair Play, but what I can say is that I feel happy.

“Obviously it’s very nice to have your name linked with big clubs, it shows that I’m doing my job well, but I’m not worried about it at all, as I said, I’m happy at the club. I’m very happy, so let’s see what happens. I’m not in any hurry, I’m happy, and it’s up to God, let’s see what happens.”

Guimaraes is currently on international with Brazil as he prepares to take part in the Copa American. Their campaign gets underway against Costa Rica on Tuesday, June 25.