Newcastle United are reportedly weighing up whether to offload in-demand midfielder Bruno Guimaraes during the summer transfer window.
The Brazil international has seamlessly slotted into Eddie Howe's engine room since making the move from Lyon in January 2022 and has now represented the Magpies on 97 occasions in all competitions.
Guimaraes has scored 13 goals and set up 13 more in that time to help end Newcastle's exile from the Champions League, although their European return came to a premature end with a group-stage exit.
The 26-year-old was allegedly left furious at Newcastle's failure to qualify for the knockout rounds of the Champions League, and Howe's side are now fighting to maintain their continental status entirely for 2024-25.
An indifferent Premier League campaign has left the Magpies smack-bang in the middle of the top-flight table in 10th spot, only four points behind West Ham United in seventh but a whopping 16 adrift of Aston Villa in the fourth and final Champions League place.
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With injuries taking their toll and a handful of fringe players expected to depart, Newcastle's affluent owners will likely oversee a significant squad reshuffle in the summer window but must of course operate within Financial Fair Play regulations.
As a result, Football Insider claims that the Magpies will consider severing ties with Guimaraes as a means of raising funds, less than a year after tying the ex-Lyon man down to a new long-term deal.
Guimaraes penned an extension until 2028 back in October, although those terms are understood to include a release clause of £100m, which if triggered would pave the way for his stress-free exit.
A plethora of European heavyweights are believed to have taken a liking to Guimaraes, including Manchester City and Manchester United, both of whom could lose at least one midfielder this summer.
Kalvin Phillips - whose loan with West Ham United has not gone to plan so far - is facing an uncertain future at the Etihad, while Casemiro, Donny van de Beek and Sofyan Amrabat may be on their way out of Man United.
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Man City are now understood to have touched base with Guimaraes's entourage, but the Citizens must also fend off the attention of Chelsea and Manchester City to seal a deal for the South American.
In addition, Barcelona and Real Madrid could try to prise Guimaraes away from the Premier League entirely, although the cash-strapped former would not be expected to bow to his £100m release clause.
Another productive 2023-24 campaign has seen Guimaraes score three goals and provide seven assists in 40 matches for Newcastle, and he has won more free kicks than other player in the Premier League, drawing 82 fouls.
Should Newcastle indeed raise nine figures through the Brazilian's sale, they will apparently target reinforcements in attack, midfield and defence, as well as a new goalkeeper.
Ben Knapton
