Real Madrid have reportedly been dealt a blow in their bid to sign Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
Los Blancos have not been strangers to securing fresh faces for the centre of the pitch in recent transfer windows with Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni both making the switch to the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, with Luka Modric now very much of veteran status and Toni Kroos's long-term future at the club remaining uncertain, alternatives may eventually have to be found for two key players.
While Jude Bellingham has been constantly linked with a transfer to Real, it has recently been claimed that the European champions may bide their time before making a big-money move for the England international.
As it stands, it is unclear how Real's transfer plans ahead of 2023-24 will pan out, but Guimaraes is another name which is said to have emerged on their radar.
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In 14 months at St James' Park, the Brazil international has established himself as Newcastle's most influential player, contributing a total of nine goals and four assists from central midfield.
Despite possessing a contract until 2026, Guimaraes is being linked with a transfer to a higher-profile club, something which may become more plausible if Newcastle miss out on qualification for the Champions League or Europa League.
Nevertheless, according to Football Insider, Newcastle remain confident that they will eventually be able to agree fresh terms with the 25-year-old.
The report claims that the Magpies hierarchy are prepared to hand the former Lyon man a lucrative new contract to help keep him at St James' Park.
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Guimaraes is already said to be happy with life on Tyneside and would be in no rush to take on a change of scenery at this stage of his career.
Newcastle paid in the region of £40m for Guimaraes in January 2022 and would expect well in excess of that figure if they were ever to contemplate the sale of their most prized asset.
While Newcastle have enjoyed an excellent campaign, they have gone five matches without success in the Premier League and recently lost the EFL Cup final.
As a result of the former, Eddie Howe's side now sit in sixth position in the top-flight standings, albeit four points adrift of fourth spot with two matches in hand.
Darren Plant
