Pep Guardiola collared Bruno Guimaraes last week to tell him he was “bueno, good.”
Newcastle’s talisman and fan favourite says he has spoken to Guiardiola “a few times,” and that “in my opinion Pep is a genius, the best coach in history.”
Flattering, flirty words spoken to Brazilian media, creating that nagging worry for Geordies that their play-maker could be off in the summer. Already Bruno G has admitted Real Madrid called him last summer for a brief conversation, to check on his situation. And that situation is he has a deal with Newcastle until 2026… who don’t actively want to sell. I say actively because everyone has a price, and Bruno’s is probably north of £80m, double the cash United paid for him 15 months ago.
Guimaraes has been a magnificent ambassador for Newcastle and himself on and off the pitch during that time. He is unpressable - wriggling out of tight midfield corners to keep the ball and launch forward momentum. So he’s vital to Eddie Howe’s front foot way of playing.
As Sean Longstaff said last week, play alongside Bruno, and he makes you look good. There will be a merry-go-round of top midfielders this summer. City need to replace Ilkay Gundogan who is out of contract in the summer.
Every elite club wants Jude Bellingham or Declan Rice, but not all can succeed, so would Guimaraes become a viable alternative for the likes of Liverpool or City, if they don’t land their man?
Much could depend on how patient Guimaraes is to be part of Newcastle’s rebuilding. He’s proud to be in at the start of their rebuild, but at 25, could impatience and a pay rise see him seek Champions League football elsewhere?
Much could also hinge on where faltering Newcastle finish. Top four is still possible, but they’ve not scored in more than five hours of play, and won once in the league since Boxing Day. The Toon need four new quality stars in the summer, and to ward off interest in their main man.
