Manchester United director of football Jason Wilcox is driving the interest in Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes following reports of 'advanced talks', according to GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs.
United have grand plans to add two new central midfielders to their squad this summer after GMS confirmed that there is no chance of a U-turn that sees Casemiro remain at Old Trafford.
The Brazil international has been in exceptional form in recent months, and especially under caretaker boss Michael Carrick, but he will leave when his contract expires at the end of the season, as he confirmed in January.
It means that United need to find two quality players to provide competition for Kobbie Mainoo in the middle of the park, with further question marks over Manuel Ugarte's future given his limited minutes under Ruben Amorim and Carrick this term.
As well as a big summer of recruitment, which could be heightened if they qualify for the Champions League, Wilcox will also be part of the team deciding who the club's next permanent manager will be.
United Have Held Talks With Guimaraes Reps
Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes smiles as he walks into St James' Park
Reports on Thursday morning suggested that United were in 'advanced talks' over a £69m deal to sign Guimaraes from Newcastle.
While there have been some suggestions of the 28-year-old being a target for the Red Devils, they have been more heavily linked to other Premier League midfielders like Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali, Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton.
Speaking on the United Stand on Thursday, Jacobs confirmed the club's interest in the Brazilian, but has denied that talks are advanced.
He said: "Manchester United are interested in Bruno Guimaraes. That is being driven specifically by Jason Wilcox, and there have been some talks on the player side, but there haven't been any talks yet with Newcastle United.
"So I suppose it depends on how you define advanced!"
According to Jacobs, Anderson remains the 'priority' target for United even though they are likely to face strong competition for his signature from rivals Manchester City.
Guimaraes Has 'Verbal Agreement' With Newcastle
Bruno Guimaraes
Guimaraes has been labelled as the 'Premier League's most complete midfielder' by journalist Ben McAleer, and it is no surprise that he is gaining admiring glances from top clubs across Europe given his midfield and leadership qualities.
Jacobs added on the United Stand that the Brazilian has a 'gentlemen's agreement' to explore a move to a club competing in the Champions League if Newcastle aren't competing in it.
That looks set to be the case in 2026-27 after the Magpies were knocked out of the competition by Barcelona on Wednesday night, while they lie nine points outside the top four in the Premier League standings.