Manchester City have reportedly suffered a transfer blow in their pursuit of Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
Magpies supporters were delighted to see the 26-year-old remain at St James' Park after he was the subject of much speculation during the summer transfer window.
Pep Guardiola's side, as well as Arsenal, Liverpool and Barcelona, were among the clubs credited with an interest in Guimaraes, whose £100m release clause in his contract allegedly expired in June.
Rumours of a possible switch to the Etihad Stadium for Guimares have since resurfaced after it was confirmed by Guardiola that Man City midfielder Rodri will miss the rest of the season with knee ligament damage.
It has previously been reported that the Citizens could look to 'resurrect' their interest in the Brazil international as they believe he is keen to join them, even though he has publicly expressed his happiness at Newcastle.
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Guimaraes "will only leave if Newcastle wants him to"
However, according to Brazilian news outlet Trivela, there are two factors as to why Guimaraes is not interested in a move to Man City and prefers staying put at Newcastle.
The report firstly points out that Guimaraes has been appointed as Newcastle's new club captain this season, leading the team with the armband in each of their opening six Premier League fixtures.
Now considered a leader by Eddie Howe and having seen his morale increase as a result, Guimaraes is said to currently have no interest in leaving Newcastle to play at a higher level.
Sources from the players entourage have also stated that the midfielder "will only leave if Newcastle wants him to".
"He has a lot of respect from his teammates and becoming captain was his dream," One source close to the player said via Trivela. "There are many clubs interested, but there will only be a deal if they first resolve things with Newcastle. Bruno will not take a position (on a departure). It has to come from the club wanting to sell."
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Guimaraes not interested in being Rodri 'stopgap'
The second factor suggested as to why Guimaraes is not interested in joining Man City is with regards to Rodri's situation at the Etihad.
Rodri will not play for the Citizens for the remainder of the 2024-25 campaign due to injury and Guardiola has refused to rule out signing a replacement in January.
The influential Spanish midfielder is expected to slot straight back into Guardiola's first-team plans as soon as he returns to full fitness, though, and any potential new addition in January would presumably fall down the pecking order.
Guimaraes is said to not want to be viewed as an emergency signing and becoming a 'stop-gap' for Man City while Rodri is on the sidelines does not appeal to the Brazilian.
Newcastle's No.39 does not believe that swapping his key role at Newcastle, where he plays regularly, for a lesser role at Man City would be the best next step in his career.
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Uncertainty over Newcastle's financial situation is said to remain, despite avoiding the breach of Profit and Sustainability Rules in the summer, and it remains to be seen whether they will need to cash in on any star players in January.
However, as things stand, Guimaraes is seemingly keen to remain at St James' Park, where he is under contract until June 2028 and has chipped in with 17 goals and 17 assists in 115 appearances.
Who are Man City's Guimaraes alternatives amid Rodri injury?
Man City have been linked with several midfielders since Rodri's injury was confirmed, including Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, who has also attracted interest from Liverpool and Manchester United.
A potential move for Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong or Bayern Munich's Joshua Kimmich has also been mooted, while Torino's Samuele Ricci has emerged as a cheaper alternative.
Man City expert Steven McInerney from Esteemed Kompany believes that it would be "sensible" for the Citizens to pursue a £30m-rated player such as Ricci in January.
Oliver Thomas
