Time is running out for the clubs wanting to sign Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United.
The midfielder’s £100 million release clause expires at midnight on Monday 24 June, leaving interested teams with just a few hours left.
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However, it is safe to assume that Newcastle have no intention of letting Guimaraes go if they can avoid it.
The 26-year-old has scored 17 goals in his 107 appearances for the Magpies since joining in 2022.
He was instrumental in securing the club’s place in the Champions League last season and Newcastle finished fourth in the 2022/23 season.
Of course, the Brazilian has reportedly attracted a lot of interest from a number of clubs, including Manchester City and PSG.
Arsenal are also reportedly keeping an eye on the midfielder – but any club would have to act quickly to activate the release clause and pay £100 million.
The Gunners are looking to improve their attacking and midfield potential ahead of next season, with Amadou Onana being another possible target.
While Newcastle would not be happy to let such a valuable member of their squad go, the team would have no choice but to let Guimaraes go if another club activates the clause before midnight.
The actual chance of this clause being activated given the approaching deadline is virtually zero – and Newcastle does not expect any other club to activate it either.
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In fact, Guimaraes has shown no sign of wanting to be anywhere else.
He signed a new five-year contract with Newcastle in October 2023 and told the club’s website at the time how happy he felt at this stage of his life.
“I’m absolutely thrilled,” he said. “The fans have made me feel at home since my first day here and I feel so loved in my life.”
“I’m so happy here. It’s a place where you feel so comfortable and I hope I can continue to make the fans happy and help the team to be successful. That’s my goal because there are no words to describe how happy I am to be here.”
“I remember saying in my first interview that I wanted to play in the Champions League for this club and now it’s happening. We’re making such good progress and when I look at my teammates on the pitch I’m so proud of all of them. I’m proud of everyone: the team, the staff, the owners and the fans.
“The city believes in us again and it’s incredible what we’ve done for the team. I hope it can continue like this. It’s incredible what has happened in my life in the last two years.”
Another name that Newcastle are keen to keep at the club is Swedish striker Alexander Isak.
As The Pitch Prospect revealed in April, Isak has been in talks about signing a new contract at St. James’ Park and the discussions are apparently going positively.
Newcastle hope that the sale of sought-after teenager Yankuba Minteh, who is being courted by Everton and Lyon among others, will ease their concerns about the PSR rules.
Striker Callum Wilson, English defender Kieran Trippier and midfielder Sean Longstaff are other players they may want to bring into the deal in place of star duo Guimaraes and Isak.
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Eddie Howe’s side have already signed Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly on a free transfer and are in advanced talks with Burnley over a £20m move for goalkeeper James Trafford and Everton over striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Newcastle will begin their 2024/25 Premier League season on Saturday 17 August with a home game against Southampton.