Man City accelerate plan to sign Bruno Guimaraes - Insider
Man City are plotting a move to sign Newcastle star Bruno Guimaraes at the end of the season to solve their ongoing midfield issues.
This is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that City could take advantage of Newcastle's financial situation to land a big-money deal.
The Magpies have seen their spending limited in recent windows, and there is a feeling that they may need to sell players to raise money for reinvestment in Eddie Howe's team.
Brown went on to explain that uncertainty over the futures of some of City's big-name stars could force them to spend big in the transfer market.
It has been said that there are concerns about the strength in depth in Pep Guardiola's midfield, which has been exposed during Rodri's absence through injury.
This comes after Football Insider exclusively revealed in November that City are planning to sign a high-profile replacement for Kevin de Bruyne.
The 33-year-old's contract is set to expire at the end of the season as things stand, and there is a growing belief that Guimaraes, 27, could be their top target to replace him.
Man City plot 'big-money' move to sign Bruno Guimaraes
Football Insider revealed on 22 November that Newcastle are highly unlikely to entertain talks over the Brazilian's exit given his importance in Howe's side.
However, Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that Guimaraes is "certainly" a target for City and they are "discussing their next steps".
"Yes, he's a player I'm told they'd like to sign," he told Football Insider.
"They're looking at the situation with some of their key midfielders and discussing their next steps.
"Guimaraes has experience in the Premier League, he's very highly-regarded, and he's a player who they feel would fit in their midfield.
"He's certainly one of the names on their list of targets.
"The issue is, Newcastle don't want to lose him. He's so important to their team and the fans love him.
"But when you look at the financial situation at Newcastle, they might be tempted to sell.
"They've not been able to spend as much money as they would've liked, and there has been talk that they might have to sell players to raise some money.
"So if City come in with a big-money bid for him, I wouldn't be surprised to see some progress made.
"There's no chance it happens in January, though, that will be one to watch at the end of the season and so City will have to wait if they want him."
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