Sources have told Newcastle United who would rather sell Bruno Guimaras than Alexander Isak this summer, with Arsenal interested in both clubs and Manchester City also keeping an eye on the midfielder.
Arsenal's priority in the summer transfer window is to bring in a new striker, but they are also looking to add a central midfield if it is within their financial means. Guimaras and Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi are specific targets. Arsenal aren't the only clubs interested in Guimaras. Manchester City are already close to the player's training camp, while Paris Saint-Germain Football Club is also considering a move.
Manchester City are looking for a player to praise Rodri and hope Guimaras can play a number six or eight. West Ham's Lucas Paqueta remains a potential target after a failed chase in August 2023.
The reigning Premier League champions are still hoping for Kevin De Bruyne to extend his contract beyond 2025, and there is optimism that he will do so, but if the Belgian midfielder agrees to a move to the Saudi Pro League, a creative and versatile midfielder like Paqueta will be a priority.
However, there is no indication that Debru is embracing such a move at the time, even though he could be named Saudi Arabia's number one target. Unless De Bruyne signs a new contract before the end of the season, the Saudi dealmaker will almost certainly make an offer to Manchester City.
If De Bruyne does give the green light to a move for the Saudis, Pep Guardiola's side will have a lot of money at their disposal, and may even allow Guimaras and Paqueta to sign both. Michael Emenalo, sporting director of the Saudi Pro League, has realised that De Bruyne will spend at least £100 million even if he has only one year left on his current contract this summer.
Newcastle need to bring in between £30 million and £50 million to comply with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), but they need more money if they want to strengthen their squad.
Although qualification for next season's Champions League is virtually unattainable, sixth-placed Newcastle are back on track for some form of European football next season. This is a welcome increase for the club's finances, but means the squad may need further depth. While the club budgeted a bonus for pre-season, qualifying for Europe also comes with a team bonus.
Newcastle insist Isak is not for sale, while sporting director to succeed Dan Ashworth is unlikely to give a different proposal. The 24-year-old has 17 Premier League goals so far this season and is seen not only as an integral part of Eddie Howe's squad, but as an integral part of the club's overall programme. Replacing him would also be costly, with no guarantee of filling the goal gap, making it unwise to sell.
Newcastle are naturally keen to keep Guimaras, but if the Brazilian's £100million release clause is triggered, the situation will spiral out of their control. When Guimaras signed a new five-year contract at St James' Park, there was a release clause included in the contract, which was very rare for Newcastle. However, it is understood that a verbal agreement has also been reached that Guimaras will be allowed to negotiate with Champions League clubs, which would involve an offer of more than £80 million if the offer falls below its release clause.
Newcastle realised that it would be better to lose just one player if they had to, rather than having to sell several names in order to raise the same money, many of whom they could not easily replace.
Kieran Trippier and Miguel Almiron were the targets of Bayern Munich and Al-Shabaab respectively in January, while the club also realised that Callum Wilson and Jamal Lascelles were not unsellable if money was needed to avoid PSR breaches. But the four combined, they may charge a similar fee to the collective fee that Guimarães collects individually.
Newcastle's strength is that Eddie Howe's three-man midfield already has plenty of options, if not all of the players fit Guimaras' model. Sandro Tonali will be suspended for gambling irregularities next season, Joelinton can also play on the attack, he just signed a new four-year contract, Lewis Milley and Elliott Anderson are both highly regarded at the club, Sean Longstaff has been key all season and Joe Willock is another option.
Any large cost of buying for Guimaras will also allow Newcastle to purchase a replacement. Kalvin Phillips and Conor Gallaher have been eyeballed by the club in the past and could both move this summer. Of course, in an ideal world, Newcastle would have kept only Guimaras, who has developed a strong bond with the fans and has often made it clear how happy he is at Tyneside.
Although the Magpies have not yet made an offer for him, there is no doubt that they are ready to replace him. This is normal because of Guimaras' release clause, even if the club does find other ways to raise funds, there is a possibility of a summer transfer.