Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes has addressed ongoing rumors linking him to Manchester City and Arsenal. The Brazilian midfielder revealed that he had a conversation with Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, shedding light on his future at Newcastle United.
During the summer transfer window, both Manchester City and Arsenal reportedly expressed interest in signing Guimaraes. However, Newcastle successfully retained their star midfielder, who is crucial to their plans for the season.
In an interview with Globo Esporte, Guimaraes detailed his conversation with Guardiola and reaffirmed his commitment to Newcastle. He expressed his admiration for both Guardiola and Newcastle, describing his journey and role at the club.
“I believe that at my club I am an idol, and I have a lot of respect. I am the captain of Newcastle, and if you had asked me three years ago, my biggest dream would have been to play in the Premier League,” Guimaraes stated.
“Being an idol, playing, and being the captain at Newcastle is something wonderful. I really like the club. Of course, Manchester City’s interest shows I am performing at a high level, but it was nothing more than interest.”
Guimaraes confirmed that his conversation with Guardiola was limited to mutual admiration. “We spoke once. I praised his work, and he praised mine, but it was nothing more than that,” he said.
In October 2023, Guimaraes signed a contract extension with Newcastle that runs until 2028, strengthening the club’s position in any potential transfer negotiations.
During the summer transfer window, his £100 million release clause expired without being activated, making it easier for Newcastle to keep him.
To meet Financial Fair Play regulations, Newcastle opted to sell other players, including Yankuba Minteh and Elliot Anderson, rather than cashing in on Guimaraes.
Despite this, reports indicate that Manchester City and Arsenal remain interested in the midfielder. Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona are also monitoring his situation closely. However, Newcastle is unlikely to entertain offers for their captain in January, with any potential transfer fee expected to exceed £100 million.
Guimaraes remains central to Newcastle’s ambitions for the season, as they continue to push for success domestically and in European competitions. For now, his focus appears firmly on leading Newcastle United and building on their current momentum.