Newcastle captain Bruno Guimaraes breaks silence on Man City interest - as Brazilian reveals details of Pep Guardiola conversation

• e-mail

Newcastle star Bruno Guimaraes has addressed interest from Manchester City and Pep Guardiola, but has stressed he is enjoying his time at St James' Park.

The midfielder had reportedly been subject of interest from Man City in the summer, with his contract containing a £100million release clause which expired at the end of June.

Guimaraes has been one of Newcastle's key players since joining the club for £33million in January 2022 from Lyon.

Mail Sport revealed Guimaraes in August had been elevated to being Newcastle's club captain, with the expectation he would stay.

The Brazilian has admitted Man City had expressed interest and revealed details of a conversation with Guardiola, but stressed he was always committed to Newcastle.

Bruno Guimaraes has stressed he is committed to Newcastle despite links to Man City

Guimaraes revealed he and Pep Guardiola had praised each other's work in a conversation

'I believe that at my club I am an idol and I have a lot of respect,' Guimaraes told the Brazilian newspaper Globo.

'I am the captain of Newcastle and it is something that if you had asked me three years ago, my biggest dream would have been to play in the Premier League.

'Playing, being an idol, being captain is something wonderful. I really like Newcastle.

'Of course, having Manchester City's interest shows that I am at a high level, but it was nothing more than interest. 

'I know that Guardiola likes my football, it is normal to have great coaches who admire your football.

'We have spoken once, I praised his work, he praised my work, but it was nothing more than that.'

Reports of Man City's interest had grown after Guardiola had singled out Guimaraes for praise before his side faced Newcastle in the FA Cup back in March. 

‘He is an exceptional holding midfielder. He is aggressive, with the ball or without the ball,' Guardiola said.

Newcastle's club captain stressed that he is enjoying being an idol of the supporters

‘At set pieces, he’s aggressive and is a real, complete holding midfielder since being at Lyon and now at a club who want to grow up and up.

‘I’m sure he’s part of the project for the next years. Definitely.’

Fresh reports of Man City interest in the midfielder followed Rodri being ruled out for the season.

The Ballon d'Or winner suffered an ACL injury back in September.