Barcelona Set to Battle Their €100 Million Midfield Dream Signing in Champions League Showdown
As Barcelona make their way to St James's Park for their opening Champions League match of the new league format on Thursday, they'll encounter a recognizable figure in Newcastle United's skipper, Bruno Guimarães.
The Brazilian playmaker has consistently appeared on Barcelona's transfer wish lists compiled by their scouting network throughout recent years, though he has perpetually remained beyond the financial reach of the Spanish club.
Guimarães was among the initial signings under Newcastle's extraordinarily affluent ownership structure in January 2022, quickly embracing the ethos of his new environment and becoming a beloved figure among supporters.
The affection from Newcastle's fanbase was mirrored by Barcelona's sporting director, Deco. The former midfielder is characterized by SPORT as having a strong preference for the transfer expert, who is believed to have consistently pursued the versatile South American during the summer windows of 2023 and 2024 to address the gap in defensive midfield created by Sergio Busquets's exit.
Nevertheless, Guimarães would remain an "unattainable aspiration" due to a valuation of €100 million (£86.8 million, $118.5 million). As Newcastle demonstrated during their negotiations with Liverpool regarding Alexander Isak's potential transfer this summer, the Magpies maintain firm bargaining positions.
Finding a successor to Busquets has presented significant challenges. Oriol Romeu was acquired as a direct replacement in 2023 alongside the more offensive-minded Ilkay Gündogan for a total fee of €3.4 million. Both players would depart after just one season.
Frenkie de Jong gradually assumed more of Busquets's ball-playing duties while Hansi Flick looked to the club's revitalized youth system to provide defensive stability. Marc Bernal began last season in the holding midfielder position but saw his encouraging campaign ended prematurely by a knee injury from which he has recently recovered. Marc Casadó also contributed to filling that role and may find himself directly matched against Guimarães at Tyneside this Thursday.