From Jack Gaughan: Manchester City ‘keeping an eye on the situation’ of in-demand £100 million midfielder

Manchester City are ‘keeping an eye on the situation’ of the in-demand Newcastle United and Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, Jack Gaughan has confirmed.

The Premier League champions are currently in the process of finalising positional shortlists ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window, with the central roles in Pep Guardiola’s squad expected to be addressed.

That feeling comes amid ongoing uncertainty over the future of Bernardo Silva, who is becoming increasingly likely to bring an end to his sensational stay at the Etihad Stadium, with Barcelona among the potential suitors.

A likely exit for the Portugal international and the unfavourable age of Kevin De Bruyne – who is firmly in the twilight years of his top-level career – means Manchester City will begin planning for the future, to ensure their midfield ranks remain among the very best.

As such, that leads them towards an option from within the Premier League, with a release clause likely to entice Txiki Begiristain and his recruitment colleagues within the Etihad Stadium offices.

According to the information of the ever-reliable Jack Gaughan of MailSport, Manchester City are ‘keeping an eye on the situation’ of Bruno Guimaraes at Newcastle United ahead of the forthcoming summer transfer window, but crucially, have not formalised interest.

It is further explained that the 26-year-old is ‘one of a number of midfielders’ who the Premier League champions have ‘watched’ this season. However, it is clarified that moves for any of them are dependent on outgoings from Pep Guardiola’s squad.

Top-flight title rivals Arsenal are also said to be interested in the Newcastle midfielder, while the former Olympique Lyonnais man has a release clause of £100 million, which has since been confirmed by Eddie Howe.

Manchester City’s previous summer market also partly centred around the midfield ranks, with legendary club captain and long-serving metronome Ilkay Gundogan leaving the club on a free transfer for FC Barcelona.

Mateo Kovacic would be the man chosen to come in to replace the Germany international in terms of numbers in the squad, with the Croatian since becoming increasingly important to Pep Guardiola’s system.

Speaking recently on his involvement for Manchester City, Kovacic explained, “I feel good. I like how the team plays – keeping the ball and trying to be aggressive and fast… In general, the team is great and that’s most important.”