Newcastle United have reportedly joined Everton and Arsenal in the race to sign Lyon midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
Eddie Howe is hoping to bolster his midfield options in the January transfer window and the need for reinforcements has been compounded by Isaac Hayden’s knee surgery, which means he will be ruled out of action for a couple of months.
The Evening Standard claim that the Magpies have watched the Brazilian, who helped his country win Olympic gold in the summer.
However, the report states that the Ligue 1 giants are ‘very reluctant’ to let the 24-year-old leave during the current window, and it is ‘more likely’ they would sanction a deal in the summer.
The Europa League side are reportedly under ‘some financial pressure’, but it is believed they would be able to ‘hold firm’ this month if required.
The report adds that it would take a fee in the region of £40million for Lyon to part ways with their number 39.
Newcastle should look at Bruno Guimaraes in the summer
Paying £40m for player who hasn’t previously experienced the rigours of the Premier League during a campaign where we’re scrapping for survival would present a huge risk.
However, there is no denying the Brazilian would bring some much-needed quality to our midfield and improve our ability to carve out goalscoring chances.
According to FBref, across Europe’s top five leagues, only Sergio Busquets (138), Toni Kroos (145), Aymeric Laporte (151) and Joao Cancelo (169) have made more passes into the final third than Guimaraes (128), so far this season.
The former Athletico Paranaense man also currently sits amongst Europe’s best in the through balls category.
Guimaraes has made seven through balls so far this season, which puts him amongst the likes of Florian Wirtz (8), Lionel Messi (8), Gavi (8), Mohamed Salah (10), Trent Alexander-Arnold (10) and Bruno Fernandes (10).
But with Lyon currently 13th in Ligue 1 and struggling to qualify for Europe, their financial woes may deepen come the summer.
Failure to qualify for either the Champions League or Europa League could see Guimaraes’ reported £40million valuation drop.
If Newcastle do beat the drop and Guimaraes’ asking price has been reduced then PIF could capitalise and sign the Brazilian in the summer.
But right now the Toon Army need players who can hit the ground running and not require a period of acclimatisation to adapt to the frantic pace and fierce physicality of the Premier League.
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