BRUNO GUIMARAES is edging closer to a transfer to Paris Saint-Germain, according to reports.
It comes after reports claimed the French outfit are "confident" they will win the race to secure the midfielder.
Guimaraes, 26, joined the Magpies from Lyon in January 2022.
But two years on his impressive displays in black and white have attracted interest from Europe's elite, namely PSG, Real Madrid and Barcelona.
However, it is the Ligue 1 champions who are the frontrunners to land the Brazilian.
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According to the Mirror, PSG have held initial talks with Guimaraes' representatives.
They are all too familiar with his game as well, having played against him twice in the Champions League this season.
But Guimaraes is in no rush to leave St. James' Park, having thanked fans and manager Eddie Howe for helping him to feel so welcome.
He said: "They (the fans) have been amazing with me, with my wife, with my dad, with my mum, with everyone.
"Every match they sing my name, every time. It has given me a lot of confidence to play.
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“To be honest, I wasn’t expecting this with the fans [when I signed for Newcastle ]. I just want to say thank you to all of them."
PSG have stepped up their interest but will wait until summer to make their move amid a squeeze in Newcastle's muscle in the transfer market.
After a massive transfer outlay since Newcastle were taken over by PIF in 2021, they are now feeling the pinch of profit and sustainability rules.
Toon announced losses of £73.4million in their 2022/23 accounts, which has left the club facing the possibility of losing some of their star signings.
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Guimaraes also now has a release clause said to be worth £100m after signing a new and improved contract in October which pays him a tidy £120,000 a week.
He sparked rumours of a transfer to the PSG following a trip to Disneyland Paris with his family.
Since joining Newcastle Guimaraes has made 88 appearances, scoring 11 goals.
Guimaraes featured in their FA Cup triumph over Fulham on Saturday.
They are next in Premier League action against Aston Villa on Tuesday.
