Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes has named two clubs he ‘really wants’ to join later in his career.
The Magpies captain is under contract until 2028 but has been subject of transfer interest and will likely delay talks regarding a new deal at St James’ Park until after this summer’s World Cup in North America.
The Brazilian has recently been the subject of transfer claims from Brazil linking him with a move to Manchester United or Real Madrid in the summer. A report from Reuters claimed Manchester United were in advanced talks to sign Guimaraes for £69million, which has led to further reports, claims and counter-claims regarding the player’s future.
Bruno Guimaraes shows off his shirt collection
Guimaraes is understood to be happy at Newcastle and would not agitate to leave, but there is interest in the player that will only intensify if the club miss out on Europe. The 28-year-old is currently focused on returning from injury and during his time on the sidelines, he featured on a Caze TV house tour.
During the video, the Newcastle captain showed his collection of football shirts, one of which included a Vasco da Gama shirt with ‘Bruno G. 39’ on the back.
Guimaraes has never played for Vasco previously, but having grown up in Rio de Janeiro, the Brazilian side is his boyhood club.
“Vasco gave me this one [shirt],” Guimaraes explained. “A gift.”
When asked if he is going to play for Vasco in the future, Guimaraes added: “Ah, man, I really want to. If I come back to Brazil, it’s either Athletico or Vasco, man.”
It goes without saying that Guimaraes’ ambitions to play for Vasco or Athletico Paranaense are longer-term, once he is finished in Europe.
Guimaraes made his name at Athletico Paranaense in Brazil before getting his big break in Europe with Lyon in 2020. He went on to join Newcastle two years later and has established himself as a club legend and one of the top midfielders in the Premier League.
Eddie Howe on Bruno Guimaraes
When asked about the reports linking Guimaraes with an exit from Newcastle, Howe said: “I don't even know how to respond to that, I don't even think I should because it's a waste of my energy.
“Bruno's our captain, he's fully committed, he's injured at the moment, his only focus is coming back to fitness.
“For me it's a nonsense story. Is it a problem for us [to have big players linked with exits]? I don't necessarily think it's a problem for us, but it's unwanted news, I suppose is the best way to put it.
“You don't want your players distracted. I don't know how much they'll absorb that, but for me, it's not the time to think about that.
“In the summer you can sort of understand those stories a little bit more, because the transfer window's open. But to say our captain's in discussions with another club, I think is totally disrespectful to Bruno, more than anybody else. He's totally committed here.”
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