BRUNO GUIMARAES is set to be at the centre of a huge transfer battle this summer, according to reports.
The Brazilian, 26, joined Newcastle in January 2022 and has been sensational for the North East club.
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Guimaraes has scored 13 goals and assisted another 13 in 96 appearances for the club – and is now attracting interest from a host of teams.
They include Manchester City – who have identified him as their top midfield target ahead of Bayern Munich’s Joshua Kimmich and Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz.
According to AS, the Premier League champions have “already contacted” the player’s representatives as they look to trigger his £100million release clause.
Manager Pep Guardiola previously spoke glowingly about Guimaraes – who is under contract with Newcastle until 2028 after signing an extension earlier this season.
He said: “Exceptional holding midfielder; aggressive, with the ball he has pause, in set pieces he is aggressive.
“Now Newcastle wants to grow and I am quite sure that it is part of their project for the next few years, definitely.”
However, Man City face plenty of competition in their pursuit of the South American – who has 18 caps for Brazil.
Liverpool and Chelsea both showed interest in the midfielder in the past and are set to renew their enquiries.
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Manchester United are also expected to come in for the Newcastle star, particularly if Dan Ashworth completes his switch to become sporting director at Old Trafford.
And there are also clubs outside of the Premier League understood to be monitoring Guimaraes.
Paris Saint-Germain could return with another attempt to sign him having previously failed to do so due to a Financial Fair Play issue.
But Guimaraes’ “dream” move is believed to be Barcelona – with club president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco keen on the transfer.
However, the Catalan giants will only be able to afford an offer in the region of £68m.
They will also have to sell several players before they sign Guimaraes due to their desperate financial situation.
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