Bruno Guimaraes reportedly has a ‘pact’ allowing him to leave Newcastle for £85m this summer, if the club fail to secure Champions League qualification.
Guimaraes is understood to be on Manchester City’s radar for the summer transfer window and the Citizens are hopeful of reaching an agreement.
The Brazil international has been an integral part of the Magpies’ progress under Eddie Howe since arriving from Lyon in January 2022. He was named Newcastle captain ahead of the current campaign and has consistently discussed his happiness with life at St James’ Park.
However, TEAMtalk are reporting that another season of absence from the Champions League could persuade the 27-year-old to move on.
According to the report, the midfielder has a ‘pact’ allowing him to leave for a fee of £85m if Newcastle miss out on Champions League football. The Magpies are currently eighth in the table ahead of Sunday’s clash with top-four rivals Nottingham Forest, three points adrift of the top four. It is expected the Premier League will receive an additional place in next season’s competition for the team that finishes fifth this season.
Manchester City are admirers as the Citizens plot a rebuild in midfield. Pep Guardiola’s side have struggled this season with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva all doubts to remain at the Etihad beyond the summer. Arsenal also have a long-standing interest in the player.
Guimaraes leads Europe’s top five leagues for fouls drawn this season and ranks among the Premier League’s top players for assists (9th), progressive passes (2nd), through balls (1st) and goal-creating actions (5th).
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