Barcelona have made Premier League star Bruno Guimaraes one of their top targets for this summer as they look to strengthen their midfield, but will face a tough job convincing Newcastle United to part ways with the star.
The Blaugrana, who are already crowned as La Liga champions, are losing midfield general Sergio Busquets this summer, with the veteran Spaniard looking to continue his career away from Camp Nou for the final seasons of his career.
It leaves Barca with a hole to fill in central midfield, with the likes of Franck Kessie and Frenkie de Jong internal options but not entirely trusted by Xavi to play at the base of midfield.
Due to this, the Times report that Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes has caught the eye, with the Brazilian having been the fulcrum of Eddie Howe’s side this season, appearing 31 times for the Magpies as they secured Champions League football for the first time in two decades.
Already well accustomed to life on Tyneside, the 25-year-old previously attracted interest from Arsenal, but has made St James’ Park his home, and even now refers to his son affectionately as “My Brazilian Geordie.”
But Barcelona are willing to try and turn his head, with the Times adding that ‘the Catalan club believe it will take a transfer fee in the region of €100 million (about £87 million) to persuade Newcastle to relinquish the Brazil international’.
Keeping hold of Guimaraes would be a massive statement, and would help them ahead of what is set to be a tricky return to Champions League football.
