Paris Saint-Germain are confident of winning the chase for Newcastle United crowd favourite Bruno Guimaraes.
But the one consolation for his adoring Toon fans is the French giants won’t make their move until the summer. There have been initial talks with the Brazilian’s advisors and the combative player recently visited Paris.
PSG know all his midfield prowess from their two games earlier in the season in the Champions League. And now with the Toon hierarchy admitting they will have to wheel and deal to stay within stringent profit and sustainability rules PSG have stepped up their interest ahead of a move after the season finishes.
Real Madrid are also admirers of the player who has become a huge favourite on Tyneside since his £34 million move from Lyon two years ago.
Guimaraes is in no rush to leave St. James’ Park but has a release clause of close to £100 million after recently signing a new improved contract which has rewarded his outstanding progress.
Hakim Ziyech brutally denied deadline day transfer as PSG furious at ChelseaHe hasn't rocked the boat on Tyneside, and recently thanked both the fans and Eddie Howe for making him feel so welcome.
“They (the fans) have been amazing with me, with my wife, with my dad, with my mum, with everyone," he said. “Every match they sing my name, every time. It has given me a lot of confidence to play.
“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.”
On Howe, he added: “He is very special for me. “When they [Newcastle] signed me I was this level [pointing down] and now I am here [pointing up] because of him.
“He improves not just me, the team. “When he got the team it was fighting relegation, then he got them to Champions League.”