Newcastle United willing to offer Bruno Guimaraes club-record £40 million contract
Newcastle United are willing to offer Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimaraes a club-record £40 million contract, according to the Sun.
He is wanted by Arsenal, but Magpies manager Eddie Howe wants to keep him at St James’ Park.
Guimaraes currently earns £160,000 per week and has two years remaining on his current deal.
The 28-year-old is Newcastle’s highest earner, and they are willing to hand him an improved four-year deal worth £200,000 per week.
The contract will be the biggest in the club’s history.
Arsenal and Manchester United will be ready to offer Guimaraes more if he indicates a readiness to leave Newcastle.
The Gunners have attempted to bid £55m, but Newcastle insist he is not for sale. Arsenal are preparing a second approach.
He is valued at around £80m, and it is unclear whether that amount could tempt the Tyneside club.
Sandro Tonali is another midfielder who suitors are looking to lure away from Newcastle, with Tottenham Hotspur keen.
The Magpies want £100m for the Italian and are unlikely to be open to losing him and Guimaraes in the same transfer window.
None of them are pushing to leave the club right now, and Newcastle will hope that remains the case for the remainder of the transfer window.
They were forced to sell Alexander Isak last summer after he insisted he wanted out.
Other players may not hesitate to follow suit if suitors are willing to make a serious offer.