The Newcastle United transfer Bruno Guimaraes would love to see happen this summer

The partnership of Bruno Guimaraes and Lucas Paqueta has certainly caught the attention of Newcastle United fans.

And it has many supporters on Tyneside fantasizing over a summer move for Paqueta, who is one of Guimaraes’ best mates on and off the pitch.

The special bond between Guimaraes and Paqueta started at Lyon in 2020. For 18 months, they built an almost telepathic understanding.

So, it was no wonder Paqueta bid an emotional farewell to the 24-year-old following his £35million switch to the Magpies in January.

Paqueta posted online: “My friend, the day has come to say goodbye. I wanted to thank you, above all, for the friendship, the laughs and all the moments we had together.

“Without your friendship, I wouldn’t be where I am today! I will miss you so much, on and off the pitch. You deserve everything. You will always be in my heart.”

Even then, Guimaraes’ response sparked a reaction from some Newcastle fans, who cheekily advised the pair to reunite at St James’ Park in the summer.

“As I told you a thousand times, you’re the brother I never had,” Guimaraes said. “It was a huge pleasure to play and be by your side every day. I’ll miss you a lot.”

Since then, Paqueta has stuck to his promise and followed Guimaraes’ every step.

He tuned in to the midfielder’s first Premier League start at Southampton. It was perhaps no coincidence Guimaraes marked the occasion with his first NUFC goal.

And what a magical winner it was too, with his backheel volley past Fraser Forster oozing class United fans have longed for years.

Although the duo can no longer link up at club level (for now anyway), they’ve certainly made up for lost time when on international duty with Brazil.

That was clear for everyone to see in the early hours of Wednesday morning as the Guimaraes-Paqueta partnership helped cut through Bolivia to win 4-0.

Guimaraes danced through the Bolivia defence to set up Paqueta for his opening goal after 24 minutes.

Then, Paqueta returned the favour in the second-half. A chipped pass into Guimares was emphatically finished for his first national team goal.

“The bow and arrow!! It’s always been like this I love you brother,” Guimaraes tweeted to Paqueta after the game.

Paqueta replied: “Love you buddy! Let’s go together.”

Of course, Newcastle fans needed no second invitation, with social media swamped with calls to reunite the pair.

Perhaps to no one’s surprise, there have been tentative links from France that Newcastle are considering a move to Paqueta.

This is not at all suggesting Eddie Howe & Co will look to sign the former AC Milan man but if such fantasy did come true, Guimaraes would absolutely love it.