Manchester City add Premier League star to summer radar with midfielder ‘pleasing’ Pep Guardiola – Club ‘mobilising’ transfer activity | OneFootball

Officials at Manchester City have reportedly added Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes to their transfer radar ahead of the summer market, according to new reports.

Etihad Stadium bosses are bracing themselves for arguably their most important summer transfer window since the 2017 edition that followed Pep Guardiola’s first campaign as Manchester City manager.

Having significantly slumped well below their usual standards across competitions this season, there is a firm desire from within the club to get Manchester City’s squad right back where they feel they belong and that is challenging strongly for the biggest honours.

The summer market will also bring about a fresh face at the negotiating table, as Txiki Begiristain continues his handover process that will see former Sporting official Hugo Viana take on the role of Manchester City’s director of football.

And while a number of positions appear to be at the centre of assessment throughout the Etihad Stadium bosses ahead of the summer market, the midfield area of Pep Guardiola’s squad may take on the most focus.

That largely stems from an ageing roster of players at the Catalan’s disposal, with energy clearly lacking from the centre of the park throughout this season, added to by Kevin De Bruyne’s confirmed exit from the club at the end of the campaign.

Now, according to the information of UOL Esporte, Newcastle United captain and firm fan favourite at St James’ Park, Bruno Guimarães has entered Manchester City’s transfer radar for the upcoming summer market.

It is claimed that in light of De Bruyne’s confirmed departure from the club at the end of the season, City officials are now ‘mobilising to go to the market’ and have shown interest in ‘some names’, but have not yet opened negotiations with any player.

From the side of Guimarães, it is claimed that the Brazil international continues to have a £100 million release clause in his contract – a figure that Manchester City consider ‘high to reach’. Despite that barrier, it is reinforced that the midfielder ‘pleases’ Pep Guardiola.

Manchester City have held a long-standing admiration for Bruno Guimaraes in various transfer markets having monitored his progress and development at Olympique Lyonnais prior to his switch to the north-east of England.

As for Guimaraes, the player himself has not hidden his admiration for Pep Guardiola either, openly speaking about a conversation between the pair after a clash between City and Newcastle during the 2022/23 Treble-winning campaign for the former.

“For me, he is a genius, the greatest coach in history,” the Brazilian said of Manchester City’s legendary head coach after a discussion between the pair after the full-time whistle.

Speaking with Brazilian media at the time, Guimaraes said of the chat between the two men, “He said I was ‘bueno’ [good]. We have a good relationship, we have already talked a few times…

“He told me that I was a good player. This makes me happy, because, for me, he’s the best manager that I’ve seen. That’s it, that’s this conversation, not more.”