Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes has already sent transfer message to Liverpool after £51m blow

Arne Slot wants to sign a ‘No.6’ to bolster his Reds midfield and had, as of Monday afternoon, been pursuing a move for Real Socieded midfielder Martin Zubimendi following his impressive showing at Euro 2024 with champions Spain.

However, in a major twist, Zubimendi has decided to remain at the Basque club. The 25-year-old has a £51million release clause in his contract but is now set to open talks over new and improved terms.

The collapse of the transfer led to talk of the Reds targeting a move for Guimaraes, however that has quickly denied by sources close to the Anfield club, as noted by The Athletic.

Guimaraes’ £100million release clause was active until the end of June but neither Manchester City and Arsenal came forward, despite their interest. Paris Saint-Germain were also linked.

The Brazilian is now back on Tyneside happily preparing for the new Premier League season, which gets underway at home to Southampton on Saturday.

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Guimaraes addressed his future last week and further expressed his commitment to Newcastle after being named in the club’s player leadership group alongside Kieran Trippier, Jamaal Lascelles, Dan Burn and Callum Wilson.

“I do not get involved - it is all with my agent,” said Guimaraes. “I don’t know anything about it, my focus since signing from the club has always been Newcastle. And when I’m here, it going to be Newcastle.

“I’m very happy. The squad is giving me a big responsibility in the leadership group so I want to be a leader, I want to help the club in many ways and I want to help this guy [Eddie Howe], he has developed my game a lot.

“I’m ready for him, his staff and the players. It is time for me to deliver something special for them.”

He added: “I’m always here, I’ve never said I would like to leave. Since I signed for the club I have always said I want to put my name in the club’s history and nothing’s changed. I still want to win some trophies.

“When I signed for the club I said I want to play Champions League and everyone said I was crazy! Now I want to be Champions League again, I want to win something for the club as I think the fans deserve it.”