- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
HITC understands that Newcastle United are becoming increasingly concerned about the prospect of losing one key player this summer.
The Geordie club finished in seventh place which looked to be enough for European football but with Manchester United’s win in the FA Cup, it will be a season without a European adventure for the club.
As a result of this, the futures of Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes have been called into question and sources have confirmed that there is some concern from those at Newcastle United that the release clause for the Brazilian midfielder Guimaraes, could be met.
Guimaraes only signed a new deal at the club last year to make him the club’s highest earner, but it also included a clause allowing that could see him move this summer.
Newcastle’s concern
The midfielder’s release clause at St James’ Park is understood to be worth £100 million. Newcastle publicly insist they are confident he will remain on Tyneside but recent events have changed things.
United’s FA Cup win, as mentioned, meant that Newcastle are without European football, which is a big blow for a player of the calibre of Guimaraes.
Then came the news that West Ham United midfielder Lucas Paqueta had been charged by the Football Association for breaches of their betting regulations. Paqueta, as HITC revealed, was City’s top summer transfer target – but they have stepped back from him.
These two factors are cause for concern with HITC understanding that Manchester City, who were interested in the 26-year-old previously, are now stepping up their efforts to sign the Brazilian.
City want to improve their midfield options and they have been left disappointed at the impact made by former Wolves midfielder Matheus Nunes from Wolves and, along with Kalvin Phillips, will be allowed to leave this summer.
Guimaraes’ options
HITC understands that Guimaraes is currently weighing up his options but a move to a top-level European or English side is something that he feels he has to consider.
Arsenal are said to be admirers of the Brazilian midfielder but HITC understands that the Gunners have little appetite to pay his release clause but the same cannot be said of European giants Paris Saint-Germain.
PSG are long-term admirers of the former Lyon midfielder and they have been interested in Guimaraes for a while and HITC understands that there is a chance the French giants will make a move.
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