Arsenal and Manchester City have reportedly both stepped up their interests in signing one of their top midfield targets for the summer transfer window.
Since leaving Lyon midway through the 2021-22 season, Bruno Guimaraes has been a revelation in the Newcastle United midfield, shining both defensively and offensively.
After playing a fundamental role in the Magpies' push for Champions League football last season, Guimaraes has conjured up another six goals and eight assists in 49 matches during the current campaign.
However, Eddie Howe's side saw their Champions League journey end at the first hurdle, while a 3-2 loss to Manchester United on Wednesday night in the Premier League leaves them at risk of failing to qualify for Europe entirely next season.
Sitting seventh in the standings, the Magpies are three points below Chelsea and are only above Manchester United - who can nab a Europa League place by winning the FA Cup - on goal difference.
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Arsenal, Man City 'told asking price for Guimaraes'
Guimaraes was allegedly left furious with the club's failure to make it to the knockout stages of the Champions League, and the Brazil international has been tipped to take the step-up to a title-challenging team for a number of months.
Barcelona were hitherto heavily linked with a move for the midfielder, but Newcastle are protected by a £100m release clause, which runs from May until the end of June, and the cash-strapped Spaniards have therefore been priced out of a move.
However, according to journalist Ben Jacobs - via CaughtOffside - both Arsenal and Man City have been in contact with Guimaraes's entourage, and Newcastle would be powerless to let him leave if either party triggers the £100m option.
Should neither side cough up the nine-figure sum before it expires, though, the report adds that bids closer to £80m could be entertained if Guimaraes expresses a desire to join a club competing in the Champions League.
Jacobs adds that Man City's interest is currently the strongest, as Arsenal are not prepared to trigger the 26-year-old's £100m release clause, while Paris Saint-Germain have also cooled their interest as they prioritise signing Manchester City's Bernardo Silva.
Which midfielders could leave Man City, Arsenal this summer?
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Despite claims that Guimaraes was enraged at Newcastle's Champions League failure, he is still believed to be happy at St James' Park, and both Arsenal and Man City would likely have to sell before they can buy.
The Gunners have tied Jorginho down to a new short-term contract, but Mohamed Elneny is set to depart when his terms expire in June, while Thomas Partey's deal has just over a year left to run.
Offers should be entertained for the injury-plagued Ghanaian, while home-grown duo Emile Smith Rowe and Charlie Patino are also believed to be on the Emirates chopping block.
Over at the Etihad, Kalvin Phillips's time in Manchester is surely nearing an end, as the England international has failed to recapture the form that made him a hit at Leeds United.
Phillips has also endured a disastrous loan spell at West Ham United, which will likely scupper his hopes of representing England at Euro 2024.
Ben Knapton
