Arsenal Guimaraes pursuit undermined by rivals’ switch plan for Newcastle star
Manchester City are ready to use Rico Lewis or Oscar Bobb as bait in the pursuit of Newcastle star Bruno Guimaraes.
The English champions could loan one of those youngsters to the Magpies next season – if it helps secure them the signature of in-demand Guimaraes.
The Geordies want £100million for their Brazilian midfielder, who is also being tracked by Arsenal, but City are refusing to pay that amount.
They value Guimaraes, 26, nearer the £80m mark and that means, for now, the move to take the South American to the Etihad is on hold.
![LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 06: Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Newcastle United at Craven Cottage on April 06, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article32629303.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/1_GettyImages-2143763966.jpg)
(Image: Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
However, Newcastle’s own transfer interest in Lewis and Bobb could change that and prove key to breaking the stalemate.
City have made it clear to the Toon that neither is available for sale this summer. They regard Lewis, 19, and Bobb, 21, integral to the club’s long-term future .
![BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - MAY 19: Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United reacts after the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Newcastle United at Brentford Community Stadium on May 19, 2024 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article32845990.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_GettyImages-2153697192.jpg)
(Image: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
In the short-term, though, Pep Guardiola may feel he can afford to lose one of them in his search to add a top central midfielder to the squad before next season’s bid for an unprecedented fifth consecutive title.
Lewis burst onto the City first-team scene during the 2022-23 Treble-winning campaign, notching up 10 starts in the Premier League.
But the versatile England international, who can operate at full back or in the inverted midfield role, made only eight starts last term.
![Oscar Bobb of Manchester City shakes hands with Pep Guardiola](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/article32218011.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_GettyImages-2026057329.jpg)
(Image: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Norwegian winger Bobb, meanwhile, figured even less as he was used almost exclusively off the bench following his elevation into the senior squad from the Under-23s.