NEWCASTLE United face an “uphill” battle to keep hold of midfield superstar Bruno Guimaraes, Sun Online can reveal.
Eddie Howe knows he will need to offload players to satisfy FFP rules.
And his Brazilian midfielder is not only a target for a string of clubs – but he also has ambitions to play in the Champions League.
This has put PSG on red-alert for the player – who has a £100m release clause.
A source said: “Newcastle face an uphill battle to retain Bruno over the Summer.
“He’s one of the best midfielders in the world and has been on the radar of PSG for more than a year.
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“They will have funds in the summer and wouldn’t blink at meeting the release clause.
“Eddie Howe won’t want to lose the player, but the matter may end up being taken totally out of his hands due to FFP.”
Reports claim that Arsenal and Manchester United are also interested in Guimaraes, but PSG are believed to be at the front of the queue.
“They’ve been tracking Bruno for a long time, and it’s no secret that he’s top of their wish list.
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“They face losing Mbappe in the Summer so the heat will be on the owners to bring in big names to appease the fans.
“Bruno also has fond links to France so PSG are confident they can get the player out of the club and over to Paris.”
The Tyneside outfit forked out £35 million for the Brazilian’s signature in January 2022, and he has since emerged as one of their key players – and also their highest-valued.
In 98 games for the Magpies, he has scored 13 goals.
Guimaraes, who pockets £160,000-per-week, is under contract until 2028 after signing an extension earlier this campaign.
Howe has already expressed his concerns around FFP restrictions at St James’ Park and explained the club are in position that requires them to sell in order to buy.
Speaking in January, he said: “In an ideal world, given the freedom to act we would have brought players in already.
“But we’re not in that situation. Financial Fair Play is a problem and we’re having to navigate around that.
“We’re not shutting the door on everything but as I sit here now, no we’re not going to bring anyone in.
“Sometimes you have to take your long-term vision away and just deal with the here and now.
“I’d be quite prepared to do that if the situation arose where we could agree something that would help us now.
“The owners are very ambitious and they would like to help and improve the squad in any way they can.
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“But the rules and conditions we’re working under don’t allow that.
“I will continue to push for signings but I have to respect and understand the football club’s health because we want Newcastle United here for the next 500 years.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
