Real Madrid scouts watched £100m Newcastle United star vs Man City

Real Madrid sent scouts to monitor Bruno Guimaraes during Newcastle United’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester City, according to reports.

The Magpies crashed out of the FA Cup at the quarter-final stage - ending their only chance to win silverware this season. An agonising wait for domestic success will now extend to 70 years after City coasted to a routine victory on home soil.

Toon talisman Guimaraes, who battled hard for 90 minutes to no avail, was emotional post-match. He wrote on social media: “Struggling to find words now! (I am) disappointed to not go through in the FA Cup. We still have 10 games in the Premier League to save our season. We count on our fans as always.”

Many Newcastle fans feared the worst when reading the message, believing the Brazilian may be considering a summer move. Eddie Howe’s men made monstrous strides forward last year by qualifying for the Champions League and reaching the Carabao Cup final.

However, a myriad of factors has contributed to a downturn in form this season. Newcastle currently sit 10th in the Premier League and face a battle to secure any form of European football.

Guimaraes previously hinted at needing to qualify for UEFA competition to keep him at St James’ Park following the 3-2 win at Nottingham Forest a month ago. While he only penned a bumper extension in October, the well-documented £100million release clause has Toon fans fearing the worst.

Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain have been linked with the midfielder but now Real Madrid, the biggest club in world football, are renewing their interest. Guimaraes revealed six months into his Tyneside tenure that Los Blancos came calling but he committed to the Newcastle project.

Two years on, HITC now report that Madrid had scouts watching the 26-year-old against Man City. Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are ageing, with the need to sign another midfielder to partner Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga.