'We have spoken' - Newcastle United star confirms conversation with Premier League manager

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Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes has played down talk linking him with a future move to Manchester City.

Man City and manager Pep Guardiola are known to admirer the Brazilian, who has been a transformative signing for the Magpies since he arrived from Lyon in January 2022.

Guimaraes was rewarded with an improved contract last October but included was a £100million release clause, which became active between May and June. Man City, along with Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal, were regularly mentioned.

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Newcastle United midfielder Bruno GuimaraesNewcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes
Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes | Getty Images

However, the midfielder - who celebrated his 27th birthday last week - stayed at St James’ Park before being handed the captain’s armband in the summer after being voted into the player leadership group.

With Guardiola likely to be without Rodri for the remainder of the campaign because an ACL injury, Man City have again been linked with a January move for a midfielder - and Guimaraes.

But when asked about those links, Guimaraes, although flattered, reiterated his commitment to Newcastle.

“I believe that at my club I am an idol and I have a lot of respect,” he told reporters in Brazil. “I am the captain of Newcastle and it is something that if you had asked me three years ago, my biggest dream would have been to play in the Premier League. Playing, being an idol, being captain is something wonderful. I really like Newcastle.

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“Of course, having Manchester City's suggestions shows that I am at a high level, but it was nothing more than suggestions. I know that [Pep] Guardiola likes my football, it is normal to have great coaches who admire your football.

“We have spoken once after the interview, I praised his work, he praised my work, but it was nothing more than that.”

It is not unusual for Guardiola to hold conversations with the opposition players in front of the TV cameras at full-time.

Praising them public isn’t unusual either. Speaking ahead of Newcastle’s defeat to Man City in the FA Cup in March, Guardiola said: “He [Bruno Guimaraes] is an exceptional holding midfielder. He is aggressive, with the ball or without the ball.

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“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.”

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