Bruno Guimaraes has admitted he'd love his close friend Lucas Paqueta to join him at St. James' Park, but admits that's out of his control. Newcastle have been repeatedly linked with a move for the Brazilian, after he was spotted wearing a black and white shirt in Bruno's garden earlier this summer.
The Magpies are looking to add some additional creativity and goals in the final third and the Lyon playmaker has emerged as a genuine contender. Eddie Howe's side have also been linked with the likes of James Maddison, Maxwel Cornet and Jack Harrison.
Speaking to the Mirror, Guimaraes said: “Paqueta in black and white again? It is difficult to say. I would love that! But I don’t work in this area. I am a player. I invited him and we play together in my garden. It was only this.”
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Guimaraes has taken the time to enjoy his summer and has also enjoyed the pre-season campaign with the Magpies. “I enjoyed a lot of my summer," he said. "Now it is time to work hard.
"I was in a jacuzzi in my garden and enjoyed that! Newcastle is a good city. I love to live here and it’s a nice moment in my life. We are ready for the start of the Premier League. We have had big tests against good teams like Atalanta, Bilbao and Benfica. We have played well.
“I don’t like to set my goals out in public. I am not a goal scorer, but I will if I get an opportunity. We need to think big things. We have players to do a big season. It is step by step and that’s it. I believe in my team and I believe in myself.”
There's plenty of optimism at St. James' Park following on from last year's takeover and the fine work of Eddie Howe and his staff. Newcastle pulled off a great escape and Guimaraes is loving the positive vibe. He said: “I can generally feel the positive energy at the moment, a positive vibe.
"That’s around the city and training ground. I see the supporters outside the training ground, and they are incredibly passionate and loyal. I’ve had supporters stop me at quarter past six in the morning every day this week now. That’s incredible, and they’re staying until late. I left late last night and there were still people there. It shows their energy, enthusiasm, positivity and loyalty for the club.”
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