Lyon DENY reaching deal with Newcastle for Bruno Guimaraes.. but history suggests transfer could still happen
LYON have “categorically denied” that Newcastle have reached an agreement for midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
But Toon are still pushing for a £30million deal for the Brazilian international, with the French club having taken the exact same stance in the past before selling a host of players.
Aulas also said the same both before Alexandre Lacazette joined Arsenal in 2017 and when Ferland Mendy signed for Real Madrid.
The French club have rejecting reports suggesting they have reached an agreement with Newcastle over a sale.
It read: "Olympique Lyonnais categorically denies the false information disseminated by many media reporting an agreement between Newcastle and OL for the transfer of Brazilian international midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
"In this transfer window period where the slightest rumour is often presented as reality, Olympique Lyonnais reminds that only information officially released by the club is to be taken into consideration."
Newcastle have offered in the region of £30m for Guimaraes – with the deep-lying playmaker, 24, set to quadruple his wages if he joins the Magpies.
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Arsenal and Juventus are also keen but are yet to submit an offer, leaving Toon as the front runners.
The 24-year-old is a deep-lying playmaker and would become Newcastle’s second most expensive signing ever behind £40m countryman Joelinton.
Guimarães joined Lyon from Brazilian club Athletico Paranaense in January 2020 and has three caps for the Samba stars.
One of Lyon’s most consistent performers over the past two season, he was part of the Brazil squad that won gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
Magpies boss Eddie Howe has been desperate to add a midfielder all January and is now hopeful of making his third signing this month following the arrivals of Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood.
He had been hopeful of adding Jesse Lingard but Manchester United are demanding a significant loan fee which could scupper the move.
Howe reportedly targeted Dele Alli as a backup if the Lingard deal fell through.
But Newcastle could focus their attention on signing a centre-back now a midfielder has been signed.
The Magpies have made signing a defender a priority but have had bids rejected for Diego Carlos and Sven Botman.
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