Exclusive: Newcastle taking drastic measures in bid to keep midfield sensation amid Real Madrid interest
TEAMtalk understands that Newcastle are pulling out all the stops to keep one of their top stars from out of the clutches of the likes of Real Madrid this summer.
Eddie Howe’s men are enjoying an outstanding campaign, even if their form has been on somewhat of a slide in recent weeks, and are still determined to try and gatecrash the top four and secure Champions League football in 2023/24.
Their performances in the first half of the campaign saw several Toon stars step up, with Bruno Guimaraes in particular becoming one of the Premier League’s top midfielders.
The Brazil international only moved to St James’ Park just over a year ago in a £40million deal for Lyon.
And, injury issues aside, the 25-year-old has already shown that he has proven to be a shrewd investment.
But with top performances comes prying eyes, and it’s been claimed that Real are ready to make a summer move for Guimaraes.
The Spanish giants are looking to revamp an ageing midfield this summer, with Luka Modric and Toni Kroos in the latter stages of their careers.
And they reportedly view the Newcastle man as a perfect fit for their current needs.
But for their part, Newcastle are determined to keep Guimaraes and are willing to already offer him a lucrative new deal to stay put.
Guimaraes key to Newcastle future
And transfer insider Graeme Bailey has given us the latest on Newcastle’s attempts to keep the player.
He told us: “Newcastle are pushing hard to agree terms with Bruno Guimaraes in the coming months.
“He has been with the club for just over 12 months. But few players in recent years have made a bigger impact in the Premier League than him.
“Guimaraes’ form has been brilliant and Newcastle’s hierarchy realise that and they want to reward him. Their pay structure is solid and that will remain, but somebody has to be at the top of it and that will be Bruno in the near future.
“Newcastle insist that any new deal for Guimaraes is not because that Real Madrid are keeping tabs on him. But they are aware that his form would naturally attract other clubs.”
It appears that keeping the likes of Guimaraes and then building on the squad that Eddie Howe and the club’s wealthy new owners have already built this summer is now the way forward for Newcastle.
However, they need to arrest their alarming run of form which sees them without a win in five, losing their last three.
Next up for Howe’s men is a Premier League home clash with Wolves next Sunday.
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