Newcastle United didn't just beat Arsenal to the signature of Bruno Guimaraes - they also stole in to pip 13-times European champions Real Madrid.
Indeed, Chronicle Live has learned that Real Madrid, destined for the La Liga title this term, had Bruno on their summer shortlist before the Magpies pushed on to complete the £33.5million signing of the midfielder. Real Madrid had made it clear they would be having a quiet January window and were never prepared to table a bid earlier this year with the emphasis on selling players.
READ MORE - Bruno's plea to sign big pal Lucas Paqueta
Instead, Los Blancos preferred to focus on the summer window which left the door ajar for the Magpies. With Newcastle showing their ambition to move quickly and efficiently they managed to land a sought after world talent.
Toon fans can rest easy knowing that the Brazil international is tied down to a four-year contract. But there has been no shortage of interest in Bruno since he burst on to the scene with Atlético Paranaense, prompting Lyon to pay €20million in 2020.
United chiefs have absolutely no intention of entertaining Bruno bids this summer and Real Madrid have accepted that this is not the time to be renewing their interest in the South American star. It will be Bruno's performances at the World Cup that could see a second wave of interest from the Spanish giants though.
A good tournament in Qatar followed by the January window will be the first real test of Newcastle's resolve for one of the stars of the club's new era. That said, the word coming from the top at St James' Park is that Bruno is very much the example of the type of player United want on board moving forward.
They hope that the classy Samba star can now attract other big-names after netting an absolute steal of a signing. Many expected Bruno to be a holding midfielder following his move from Lyon.
Instead he has been played further up the park as a number 8 and had responded with four goals. If he can continue in this rich vein of form in the final four games there's even a chance he could end the campaign as top scorer as he is only two behind Callum Wilson (6).
The big hope for supporters is that Bruno can entice his former Lyon team-mate Lucas Paqueta to Tyneside. Bruno said last week: "Ah, Lucas Paqueta. He is my brother, my best friend and I really get on with him.
"We have the same way of thinking, we are the same age and we were together every day - always talking to each other. He is a family member that football has given me."
