Considering how much Bruno Guimaraes was linked with a move to Manchester City in the summer, it is a surprise that a transfer ultimately failed to come to fruition.
In June, it was reported Manchester City felt Guimaraes over overpriced due to his £100 million release clause and the club would have only tried to secure his services had either of Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva or Matheus Nunes left in the summer.
Journalist Ben Jacobs claimed Manchester City would fancy signing Guimaraes for around £80 million if Newcastle were open to a sale after his release clause expired on June 25.
Even in August, Manchester City felt they could have signed Guimaraes but by that time, Eddie Howe’s side seemed unlikely to sell due to not having the required time to find a replacement for him.
The Brazilian international was eventually chosen as Newcastle’s captain this campaign as his side are currently sitting in eighth place in the league.
Guimaraes could well have proven to be a useful signing for Manchester City.
Man City-linked Bruno Guimaraes reveals Pep Guardiola chat
The Sky Blues have lost four games in a row and drawn one match as they continue to look well off their best in Rodri’s injury-stricken absence.
The 27-year-old could have been a like-for-like replacement for the Spaniard at the Etihad Stadium.
Speaking to Globe Esporte, Guimaraes has revealed the conversation he had with Pep Guardiola as well as his thoughts being linked to Manchester City.
The former Lyon midfielder said: “I believe that at my club, I am an idol and I have a lot of respect. I am the captain of Newcastle and it is something that if you had asked me three years ago, my biggest dream would have been to play in the Premier League. Playing, being an idol, being captain is something wonderful. I really like Newcastle.”
“Of course, having Manchester City’s suggestions shows that I am at a high level but it was nothing more than suggestions. I know that [Pep] Guardiola likes my football, it is normal to have great coaches who admire your football. We have spoken once after the interview, I praised his work, he praised my work, but it was nothing more than that.”
Guimaraes impressed for Newcastle as they held Manchester City to a 1-1 draw at St. James’ Park as well.
During the contest, the highly-rated technician played at the base of a midfield trio featuring Joelinton and Sandro Tonali, as he played the incisive through ball that led to Anthony Gordon winning the penalty that brought the Magpies back into the game.
Guardiola called Guimaraes an ‘exceptional holding midfielder’
Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Guimaraes via Manchester City’s official website ahead of his side’s 2-0 victory against Newcastle in the FA Cup last season.
Guardiola said: “He is an exceptional holding midfielder.”
“He is aggressive, with the ball or without the ball.”
Pep Guardiola concluded: “At set-pieces, he’s aggressive and is a real, complete holding midfielder since being at Lyon and now at a club who want to grow up and up.”
“I’m sure he’s part of the project for the next years. Definitely.”
Considering Guimaraes confirmed Guardiola rates him highly, while the legendary manager publicly lauded him as well, it is a shock to see Manchester City not to have made more of an effort to sign the Newcastle skipper.
It will be interesting to see if City re-ignite their interest in Guimaraes in either January or the summer of 2025.
For now, the versatile dynamo seems happy at Newcastle.
