Pep Guardiola Hails Man City Transfer Target as 'Special Player' in Glowing Tribute
Pep Guardiola has praised Newcastle United's midfield star and Manchester City target Bruno Guimarães before Saturday's Premier League clash between the two teams.
City will travel to the north of England this weekend for a tough fixture at St James' Park, where one of the globe's top midfielders awaits them in the northeast.
Guimarães has delivered outstanding performances for both Newcastle and Brazil this campaign, establishing himself as a crucial component in the Magpies' Premier League rise over recent seasons. A beloved figure among supporters, the 28-year-old has accumulated 170 matches for the club following his arrival in January 2022.
City have been linked with moves for Guimarães in past transfer periods as they look to strengthen their midfield options, with Guardiola adding fuel to the rumors by lavishing praise on the determined South American during Friday's media briefing.
"It's not just this season, for many years, since Lyon we realised he was a special player," Guardiola said of the midfield maestro. "Newcastle make an incredible signing. He's getting better and better. Always I've been a big fan of him."
This isn't the first occasion Guardiola has expressed his respect for Guimarães.
In March 2024, the Manchester City manager declared: "He is an exceptional holding midfielder. He is aggressive, with the ball or without the ball. 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."
City have acquired multiple new midfielders across recent transfer periods, with Nico Gonález and Tijjani Reijnders both brought in to strengthen the central area. Even İlkay Gündoğan made a short comeback to the Etihad Stadium but has since left for a second occasion.
Guimarães has probably been among those evaluated by Guardiola's scouting network during their recent overhaul, but a massive valuation and Newcastle's reluctance to part with the 41-cap Brazil star has presumably deterred the Citizens.