Newcastle can use Bruno Guimaraes to help Eddie Howe in summer transfer hunt
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Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe could use Bruno Guimaraes to his advantage in the summer transfer market, with the Brazilian boasting a direct link to one of their reported targets. The Magpies are still riding the wave of a free-spending January window, which already looks to have boosted their prospects of Premier League survival.
Despite a lull in the middle of the month, Newcastle started and finished the January window like a house on fire, luring in four permanent signings and a fifth player on loan.
The Magpies have subsequently gone unbeaten in the Premier League since the start of January, including an ongoing streak of three consecutive wins.
Most recently, they edged out Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa side, 1-0, thanks to Kieran Trippier’s first-half strike.
Encouragingly for the Toon, their superb run of form leaves them four points clear of relegation, having played a game less than Norwich City who trail just behind.
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With the threat of relegation now far less severe, it may not be surprising that Newcastle, buoyed by their vast Saudi-backed wealth, have already got one eye on summer recruitment.
According to Het Nieuwsblad, the Magpies have already made enquiries about Jason Denayer.
The Lyon centre-back is set to be out of contract at the end of the season and continues to make the French outfit sweat over the prospect of a free exit.
Howe and co could have several tricks up their sleeve when it comes to the deal, with Guimaraes spending the past two seasons as Denayer’s team-mate out in France.
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Given that the Brazilian received a hero’s welcome on Tyneside, and Newcastle’s recent surge in form, Guimaraes could provide a glowing reference to the 26-year-old which could make sway him towards St James’ Park.
And that reference could prove crucial, with European heavyweights Barcelona and Juventus also rumoured to be sniffing around the 26-year-old.
Newcastle are likely to head back into the market for a centre-back at the end of the season, despite signing Dan Burn on deadline day.
The Brighton man was only brought in after failed attempts to sign Sven Botman and Diego Carlos, and with Lille and Sevilla both driving hard bargains, Denayer on a free transfer could become an appealing alternative.
The Lyon defender previously spent five years on the books at Manchester City, which included a loan spell at the Magpies’ bitter rivals, Sunderland.
He has been with the French outfit since 2018, racking up almost 100 Ligue 1 appearances and 33 caps for the Belgian national team.
While Howe and his transfer team are sure to track his progress until the summer, they still have the crucial matter of Premier League survival to contend with over the coming weeks.
And Newcastle may have to face that battle without Kieran Trippier, who has been superb since his January arrival, as the right-back faces surgery and a spell on the sidelines after breaking a bone in his foot.
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