What do Manchester City still think about a Bruno Guimaraes transfer from Newcastle United?

Manchester City still retain some element of belief when it comes to their chances of signing Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes this summer, a new report has revealed.

Etihad Stadium officials had earmarked the 26-year-old as their primary target in the centre of the pitch this summer, holding a belief that they needed to find sufficient support for defensive midfield mainstay Rodrigo.

The view from within the club was that Bruno Guimaraes was not only a player capable of operating in the same position as Rodri alone, but could also venture higher up the pitch, offering added creativity to Pep Guardiola’s ranks.

However, having snubbed the opportunity to purchase Guimaraes via his release clause earlier this summer, which is understood to have been worth £100 million and has since expired, City have largely been unmoved when it comes to negotiating a fee.

And with only a matter of weeks remaining in the ongoing summer transfer window, and the brand new Premier League season getting underway this weekend, many are wondering whether there is still any hope of Manchester City landing the Brazil international.

According to a new report from The Athletic’s Manchester City correspondent Sam Lee, it may still be the case that interest from the Etihad Stadium in Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes is ‘resurrected’.

However, it is made clear that finding an agreement between the two clubs could be ‘difficult’ during the remaining weeks of the market, if not ‘impossible’. But from the side of Manchester City, they still believe that the Brazilian midfielder is ‘still keen to join them’.

In the meantime, Manchester City fans have witnessed Pep Guardiola source a new tactic when it comes to an alternative to Rodri in defensive midfield, having promoted Academy starlet Nico O’Reilly into the first-team set-up for the new campaign.

The 19-year-old has operated in the position for two of Manchester City’s pre-season matches against FC Barcelona and Chelsea in the United States, with support from Mateo Kovacic – who has license to roam forward with the ball.

That same duo in front of a defensive line was then utilised in the FA Community Shield victory against Manchester United, and should Rodri not be deemed ready for the Premier League opener against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this weekend, we could see it again.