Manchester City are reportedly the frontrunners to sign Newcastle United's in-form midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
The 24-year-old has excelled since arriving at St James' Park from Lyon in January for around £40m, and he has cemented his place as a first-team regular under Eddie Howe.
Guimaraes produced a man-of-the-match performance and scored his first two goals of the season in Newcastle's 5-1 Premier League victory at home against Brentford on Saturday.
Over the summer, Spanish giants Real Madrid were linked with a swoop for the Brazil international as a potential replacement for Casemiro.
Los Blancos are still thought to hold an interest in Guimaraes along with Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain, but the Daily Mail claims that Man City are the "most realistic danger" to Newcastle, who are desperate to keep hold of their star midfielder.
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The report adds, however, that Newcastle's Saudi-backed owners are under no pressure to sell Guimaraes, who is under contract until June 2026, and the club may discuss a potential extension of his deal in the near future.
Pep Guardiola is thought to be considering ways in which he can reinforce his Man City midfield, with captain Ilkay Gundogan out of contract next summer and Bernardo Silva's long-term future believed to be uncertain.
The Citizens have recently been credited with an interest in Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham and Bayern Munich's Jamal Musiala, and Guimaraes is the latest name to have been linked with a switch to the Etihad Stadium.
However, Newcastle fans should not be too concerned about a swift departure for Guimaraes, who is focused on becoming a "legend" at the club despite admitting to holding talks with Real Madrid over the summer.
Speaking to reporters last weekend, via Chroniclelive, Guimaraes said: "I never doubted the project, I believe in it. I always wanted to play in the Premier League and I am now just enjoying that. The ground love me and I love them. I want to keep going.
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"I want to be a legend here. Real Madrid is the best team in the world. It is nice, but it is just a conversation, it is nothing."
When asked about Newcastle's ambitions to qualify for Europe, Guimaraes added: "We just have a team to keep going. All the games in the Premier League are so difficult but we need to enjoy the moment.
"It's still the beginning and what is important is to be in this position at the end of the season. It's step by step and game by game.
"The last game against Fulham was very important for the confidence of the boys, and against Brentford we showed what we do in training each day. I am happy for the gaffer (Eddie Howe). He puts the strategy forward and that's very smart on his part."
Guimaraes has scored seven goals and provided two assists in 24 appearances since joining Newcastle, who currently sit sixth in the Premier League table after nine matches, just two points behind the top four.
Oliver Thomas
