Newcastle's £33.5m transfer bid for Arsenal-linked Bruno Guimaraes accepted by Lyon

Newcastle have seen a £33.5 million ($45m) bid for Arsenal-linked midfielder Bruno Guimaraes accepted by Lyon, GOAL can confirm.

The Magpies are pushing ahead with a significant recruitment drive under their new Saudi-backed owners, with over £30m ($41m) already spent to sign Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid and Chris Wood from Burnley.

More incomings are expected at St James' Park before the winter window closes as Eddie Howe seeks to build a team capable of avoiding relegation, and Guimaraes is next on the club's list of targets.

What's the situation?

Newcastle have launched an opening offer for Guimaraes, who has also been strongly linked with Arsenal over the past few weeks.

GOAL understands that Lyon have accepted the bid and the Brazilian has agreed to move to Tyneside on a four-year-deal.

OL publicly maintain that no such agreement been reached, but GOAL can confirm they are actively looking for a replacement.

Guimaraes initially headed to the Ligue 1 side from Athletico Paranaense in January 2020, and still has two-and-a-half years left to run on his current contract.

What has Guimaraes said?

Guimaraes added fuel to the rumours of a potential move away from Lyon on January 24 as he suggested his talent is being stifled in Ligue 1.

"In France, there are moments where we play like robots, nobody tries to dribble, to find a pass, for example," he told Globo Esporte.

"That irritates me sometimes, it is a bit frustrating. I think that those who have talent should profit from that, try to dribble, try to link moves. If you do that, your game will be complete."

He added: "My objective at Lyon is to be champion… We are doing well in the Europa League, a competition that we have begun well in. Ligue 1 is very difficult."

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Who else could Newcastle sign?

GOAL can confirm that Newcastle also approached Sevilla over a possible deal for defender Diego Carlos.

However, the two clubs are too far apart in their valuation of the player at the moment, with Sevilla reluctant to sell one of their prized assets midway through the season.

Newcastle have also been keen on landing Jesse Lingard on loan from Manchester United, although the discussions are on the verge of collapsing.

The Red Devils have given permission for Lingard to leave the club on loan this month and while Newcastle have offered to cover all of Lingard’s wages, and pay Ralf Rangnick's side a loan fee, it is understood the sticking point is over an additional fee that would be due if Newcastle avoid relegation. 

The 29-year-old wants to leave United this month to guarantee more playing time but unless a compromise can be reached then he will stay at Old Trafford until the end of the season, when his contract expires. 

In addition, the Magpies had been interested in signing Atalanta full-back Robin Gosens, but he would prefer to remain in Italy and is in talks to join Inter.

Additional reporting by Charlotte Duncker, Marcelo Hazan, Raisa Simplicio & Thiago Fernandes

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