Newcastle United make major first-team decision to strike Manchester City with transfer blow

Manchester City have been struck with a significant transfer blow this summer following a telling decision made by Newcastle United this week.

The latest development coincides with a growing sense within the football business that Ilkay Gundogan could be on the verge of an emotional return to the Etihad Stadium, one year after leaving the club for FC Barcelona.

It is a move from Manchester City that aligns with the club’s long-standing plan to find suitable support for defensive midfield mainstay Rodrigo this summer, as well as a player that can also add quality in the number 8 role throughout the campaign.

But prior to the emergence of the German midfielder’s availability at Barcelona over the weekend, much of Manchester City’s interest was focussed on Newcastle United and Brazil international Bruno Guimaraes.

Having rejected the chance to sign the player via his £100 million release clause earlier this summer, as well as open negotiations with the club over a more suitable price tag, new movement from St James’ Park appears to point towards the chances of a deal being over.

According to the information of MailSport’s Craig Hope, Bruno Guimaraes is now Newcastle United’s new first-team captain, and as a result is ‘almost certain’ to remain at the club beyond the ongoing summer transfer window.

It is further emphasised the Brazilian international is ‘admired’ by Premier League champions Manchester City, but sources have informed MailSport of their confidence that the 26-year-old will remain at St James’ Park for the 2024/25 season.

Pep Guardiola has previously shown his open admiration for Guimaraes as a player, recognising the player’s qualities from his days with Olympique Lyonnais in France’s Ligue 1, prior to his move to English football.

Speaking during a press conference in March, Guardiola explained on Guimaraes, “An exceptional holding midfielder; aggressive, with the ball has the pause, on set-pieces he’s aggressive. A real, real complete holding midfielder since playing in Lyon.”

That admiration is a mutual feeling too, with the player himself labelling Manchester City’s manager as a ‘genius’ and ‘the greatest coach in history’ after coming up against the Catalan during City’s Treble-winning season.

It remains to be seen whether Manchester City would be interested in reviving their admiration through concrete proposals for Bruno Guimaraes during a later summer transfer window, with significant investment expected in 2025.