Newcastle midfielder Bruno Guimaraes has acknowledged having a “conversation” about a possible summer transfer to Real Madrid.
Following his big-money move from Lyon to Newcastle in January, Bruno quickly won over the fans’ affections. He helped the Magpies finish in the middle of the table after a disastrous start to the season and also started 2022/23 in strong form.
According to reports in the Spanish press, Bruno was first connected to Real Madrid in August; at the time, Magpies manager Eddie Howe denied having any plans to let him go. Now that the player has admitted it, Los Blancos did communicate with him. Although he was touched by the interest from “the best team in the world,” he was not willing to pursue it further.
“I feel at home here! Real Madrid is the best team in the world. It is nice. It was just a conversation, but it is nothing,” he said of the transfer saga that never was.
Only a few months after moving to Newcastle, the 24-year-old, who has frequently pledged his loyalty to the club and has essentially turned into an honorary Geordie, reaffirmed his commitment to the organisation.
“I never doubted the project. I believe it in the beginning. I always wanted to play in the Premier League and I enjoy it. The ground loves me and I love them. No joking, I am at home here. I need to keep going,” he said.
Speaking after the Brentford game, Eddie Howe described Bruno as a ‘bargain in today’s climate’.
Howe continued, “He’s absolutely a bargain because he’s had a huge effect on the team and the club. In today’s market, [£40m] is a relatively modest sum – which I can’t really believe I’m saying – but it is. It’s an amazing thing for us to have him, it’s not just the player, it’s the person as well. I can’t say how good a person he is.
“He’s a pleasure to coach and be around. He’s a really positive person, an energiser and someone I love to coach and be with. I think everyone here connected with the club – me, the players, the supporters – absolutely love him.”
