Man City's No.1 midfield target! Treble winners launch bid to sign £100m Newcastle favourite Bruno Guimaraes

According to AS, Pep Guardiola is eager to recruit a top midfielder to partner Spaniard maestro Rodri for the foreseeable future. The report goes on to state there is a growing list of options being considered by the club - with Aston Villa's Douglas Luiz and Bayern Munich ace Joshua Kimmich also being monitored.

However, the rumoured top target for City is Brazil international Guimaraes, after it was claimed the Newcastle man is "above all" others in the transfer shortlist for this summer.

Speaking on the talents of the Newcastle midfielder, City boss Guardiola was quick to praise the Brazilian. "Exceptional holding midfielder," he said in a press conference on Friday. "Aggressive, with the ball he pauses, in the games he is aggressive. Now Newcastle wants to grow and I am quite sure that it will form part of its project for the next few years."

The 26-year-old midfielder put pen-to-paper on a new deal at St James' Park in October 2023, which will aim to keep him at the club until 2028.

Despite the fresh deal, Guimaraes reportedly has a release clause, which exceeds the value of £100million ($127m), in his new contract. That may open the door for City to pursue the player, if they are willing to pay the premium price. They haven't shied away from hefty price tags in the past.

The midfielder's concentration will not be on his future currently. With an increased fixture list due to their involvement in the Champions League earlier in the season, Newcastle's performances have slipped in the Premier League and they currently find themselves in tenth place.

Away from league action, Guimaraes will have an opportunity to showcase his talents to City this weekend, as the Magpies face Guardiola's side in the FA Cup on Saturday.