Newcastle are ‘preparing to offer Bruno Guimaraes a new £200k-a-week deal amid Chelsea interest’

Newcastle are reportedly preparing to offer star midfielder Bruno Guimaraes a new £200,000-a-week deal as they look to fend off any potential transfer interest.

The Brazilian international has been one of the outstanding players in the Premier League this season, with his midfield performances driving the Magpies into the top four.

He only joined the side in January – after completing a £40million move from Lyon – but there are already a number of top European clubs vying for his signature. 

Newcastle’s Bruno Guimaraes has attracted interest from a number of elite European clubs

The Magpies are reportedly preparing to offer him a new £200,000-a-week deal to keep him

According to the Evening Standard, Newcastle are ready to sit down with the Brazilian and discuss a new contract that could be worth up to £200,000-a-week.

Eddie Howe’s side are being pressured into a decision amid growing interest from top teams such as Chelsea and Real Madrid, who have been monitoring the Brazilian’s situation.

Chelsea have reportedly enquired over Guimaraes’ availability as they prepare to line up an offer for his services, after discovering Madrid were also interested.

The Blues are looking for midfield reinforcements with N’Golo Kante and Jorginho both being out of contract come the end of the season. They’ve also been linked with Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham and West Ham’s Declan Rice.

The midfielder has notched seven goals and three assists in the league since his January move

Chelsea are interested in the midfielder due to concerns over the injured N’Golo Kante

However, the two European giants will be dismayed by Guimaraes’ claims that he’s beginning to ‘feels like a Geordie now’ and wants to become a ‘legend’ at the club. 

‘To change country, to change leagues, and in a World Cup year as well, it was a really hard decision,’ he said. ‘But I think it was the right one. I’m so happy. It’s an amazing step. I feel like a Geordie now.

‘I always dreamed of playing in the Premier League but, honestly, I never thought it could be this good. I’m proud of what I’m doing, of myself and of the club, but it was a difficult choice.

‘I love playing here, I love to bond with the fans, and I want to become a legend here. I have three or four years of contract left. It’s so long. I swear I’m not thinking about other things. My focus now is just on Newcastle and the World Cup.’

The 24-year-old claims he ‘feels like a Geordie now’ having settled into life at St James Park  

Interest in the 24-year-old is understandable given his impressive performances that have helped Newcastle rise up to fourth in the Premier League table. 

Across his 27 appearances, he has yielded seven goals and three assists with his most recent contribution coming as an assist during their 1-0 win over Everton.

Stats show that Newcastle are worse-off without their midfield general, with the side’s win rate dropping from 58 percent to 21 percent when he’s not in the lineup.

The Magpies’ win rate drops by 37 percent when the Brazilian is out of the starting lineup