Arsenal’s pursuit of Bruno Guimaraes hampered by rivals’ transfer plan for Newcastle star

Manchester City are ready to use either Rico Lewis or Oscar Bobb as bait in their pursuit of Newcastle star Bruno Guimaraes.

The English champions could loan one of those youngsters to the Magpies next season if it helps them secure the signature of the in-demand Guimaraes.

The Geordies want £100million for the Brazilian midfielder, who is also being monitored by Arsenal, but City are refusing to pay that amount.

They value Guimaraes, 26, at close to the £80m mark and that means that, for now, a decision on whether to take the South American to the Etihad is on hold.

However, Newcastle’s own interest in Lewis and Bobb could change that and be key to breaking the deadlock.

City have made it clear to the Toon that neither are available for sale this summer. They consider Lewis, 19, and Bobb, 21, to be essential to the club’s long-term future.

In the short term, though, Pep Guardiola may feel he can afford to lose one of them in his search for a top central midfielder ahead of next season’s bid for an unprecedented fifth successive title.

Lewis burst onto the scene for City’s first team during the 2022-23 season, where he won the treble, making 10 Premier League starts.

But the versatile England international, who can operate as a full-back or in an inverted midfield role, made just eight appearances last season.

Norwegian winger Bobb, meanwhile, was even less prominent, having been used almost exclusively off the bench after his promotion to the first team from the under-23s.