Bruno Guimaraes is expected to stay at Newcastle United this summer - after buying a £4million house in the local area.
Guimaraes, 26, has become a fan favourite on Tyneside since his £40m transfer move from French side Lyon in January 2022. The Brazilian midfielder helped Newcastle qualify for the Champions League last season and his form has piqued the interest of Europe's elite.
Mirror Football reported in January - when Guimaraes made a trip to Paris - that PSG were confident about the winning race, while Real Madrid are also known admirers. Premier League rivals Manchester United have been linked, too, but now it seems that the 26-year-old plans on staying in the north east, despite claims he has a £100m release clause.
According to the Telegraph, Guimaraes recently bid for a new property in a swanky Northumberland neighbourhood which is situated just a few miles from Newcastle. The Brazil international, who signed a new five-year contract with the Magpies last October, is understood to have paid £4m for the house and hopes to move into it soon with his wife and two children.
Guimaraes' close friend at the club, Joelinton, also signed a new deal earlier this month, ending speculation over his future. Fans were concerned about Guimaraes' secret trip to Paris in January and when his agent, Alexis Malavolta, was spotted in the French capital just last week, he moved to quash suggestions that he'd opened talks with the Ligue 1 champions.
Martin Dubravka breaks silence after Man Utd loan terminated six months earlyMalavolta posted on X/Twitter: "Good morning. I would like to point out that I am in Paris for private and family reasons and not for work. please respect and don't make up stories. Bruno is very happy in Newcastle. THANKS!"
The post was intriguingly deleted, though, adding further uncertainty to the situation. It's understood that Newcastle are under pressure to sell a number of players during the summer transfer window in order to comply with Premier League profit and sustainability rules.
Your turn! Would Bruno Guimaraes be wise to stay at Newcastle? Give us your verdict in the comments section.
Recent comments from Guimaraes himself gave supporters at least some reassurance regarding his own predicament. "I have no thoughts of the future," he told Globo. "The present holds 100 percent of my attention. I'm very focused on that, on maintaining this dream of the club qualifying for a European competition. I'm happy and I'm happy here.
"That's what I've dedicated myself to 100 percent since I signed for the club. I've only missed one match. It's a different season, I'd say. But I still think we can end it in the best possible way, by winning a place in the Conference League, or the Europa League, or maybe the Champions League, however difficult it may be.
"I think every player dreams of playing in the Premier League, and to be completing 100 games for an English team is undoubtedly something that makes me very happy, very fulfilled. There are many more to come, but this milestone is very important."