Newcastle United

Newcastle United

Premier League • England

Newcastle braced for crippling raid as bigger club refuse to be denied over star Howe must not lose

Newcastle stars Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes

Newcastle are bracing themselves for a sizeable bid from a European giant who hope to complete their unfinished business for a star Eddie Howe must not lose, per a report.

The Magpies were always likely to muscle in on the Premier League’s traditional ‘top six’ once the Saudi regime took charge. However, few expected Newcastle to crash the party quite so soon.

Indeed, Newcastle are on course to qualify for next season’s Champions League. They currently hold a handy three-point advantage over fifth-placed Tottenham who have also played an extra game.

Success stories in the transfer market are far and wide over the last 18 months at Newcastle. Nick Pope and Sven Botman have helped makes Newcastle’s defence the meanest, while Alexander Isak has looked electric in attack this season.

However, arguably Newcastle’s finest piece of business remains the £40m signing of Bruno Guimaraes from Lyon back in January of 2022. The Brazil international pulls the strings in midfield and is at the centre of everything Newcastle do well.

However, according to Brazilian outlet IG Esporte, an all-powerful European giant are circling.

They state French powerhouse PSG are sizing up Guimaraes and hope to complete a piece of unfinished business.

PSG gunning for Guimaraes… again

PSG reportedly had Guimaraes in their sights after seeing his fine displays up close and personal in Ligue 1. However, they hesitated on pulling the trigger and that’s something that cannot be said of Newcastle.

The report adds PSG have come to ‘regret’ letting Guimaraes slip through their fingers. Now, they’re planning to have a second bite of the cherry.

There is an ‘expectation’ Newcastle will receive bids for Guimaraes this summer. Offers haven’t been lodged just yet, though they soon will be.

PSG are eyeing a midfield revamp and have settled on Guimaraes as a prime candidate to lead the change. How much they’re prepared to bid isn’t stated, though that may not matter anyway.

Indeed, TEAMtalk exclusively revealed back on March 5 that Newcastle will pull out all the stops to tie Guimaraes down to a new and improved deal. His current contract doesn’t expire until 2026, though his stellar displays are poised to earn him a pay-rise.

What’s more, our transfer insider, Graeme Bailey, previously revealed Guimaraes is both settled and enjoying life in the north east. As such, interest from PSG, Real Madrid and any others is certain to be rebuffed.

“Newcastle are pushing hard to agree terms with Bruno Guimaraes in the coming months,” said Bailey in March.

“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.”

Offering an insight into the player’s thinking, Bailey told TEAMtalk of Guimaraes in January: “The player is very happy in Newcastle.

“He’s started a family, and he and the club are very much on the same page when it comes to his future.”

Try as they might, PSG look set to be left empty-handed for a second time over Bruno Guimaraes.

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