Newcastle United ‘in race’ to sign £13m star that ‘understands’ Bruno Guimaraes

Newcastle United will have to see off competition from Spanish giants Atletico Madrid if they want to land a midfielder that feels he compliments Magpies man of the moment Bruno Guimaraes.

Reports in Spain have suggested United are considering a move for a Lyon star for the second consecutive January transfer window after they completed a £38m deal for Bruno earlier this year. Spanish outlet Estadio Deportivo have claimed Atletico, Real Betis and Newcastle are considering a move for midfielder Houssem Aouar, who spoke of his admiration for United star Bruno during their time together at the Ligue 1 club.

Speaking in the weeks after Guimaraes joined Lyon, Aouar discussed the impact the current Magpies star had made during his early weeks in France.

He said: “He has real importance to the team game. He puts in a lot of effort, he pushes between the lines and constantly offers solutions for our defenders. His presence is doing us a lot of good. Since he has installed himself as the defensive midfielder, it allows me to not necessarily have to come too deep to pick up balls, and on the rare occasions that I do, he gives it to me. We understand each other very well. The whole team game is more fluid with him.”

The reports of Newcastle’s interest in the £13m-rated midfielder come just days after Aouar revealed he agreed terms with three different clubs during the summer transfer window but remained in France after his suitors failed to agreed a deal with Lyon.

Aouar has made just one appearance for Lyon so far this season after an ankle injury suffered during their opening day win over Ajaccio limited his involvement in the opening two months of the season.