Bruno Guimaraes seems set to become Newcastle United’s third signing of 2022.
The Magpies have brought in Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood so far, and look set to add Guimaraes to that list.
The 24-year-old currently plays for Lyon, but Newcastle have reportedly agreed a £35million fee to bring him to the North East.
It will be a landmark signing for Newcastle’s new owners, who have endured a frustrating January so far. But to get a player like Guimaraes is truly astonishing – with just an agent fee and medical standing in the way of the Brazilian becoming a Magpie.
Newcastle have been linked with a ridiculous amount of players. Some have been big names, others have been more realistic and domestic based. There have also been some outrageous names which can’t have been anything more than agent talk.
And there have also been targets who the club have eyed for a while. And that’s the bracket Guimaraes falls in.
Nickson looked at Bruno Guimaraes before he arrived in Europe
According to the Athletic, Guimaraes isn’t a new player on Newcastle’s radar. In fact, recruitment chief Steve Nickson has been a fan for a long time.
The report states that Nickson has been tracking him even before he joined Lyon in 2020. Guimaraes arrived in France that January, costing £16million from Brazilian side Athletico Paranaense.
To think, Guimaraes could already be at St James’ Park if our previous owner had shown a bit more ambition.
A lot has been said about Steve Nickson, and he was heavily criticised for the £40million Joelinton deal. There have also been concerns about the club not employing a director of football before January.
Instead, Nickson has worked alongside the new Toon owners, and it looks like his previous scouting efforts are going to land us a top quality centre-midfielder.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
