Bruno Guimaraes joins Newcastle as Eddie Howe clinches £30million signing of Brazilian midfielder from Lyon

Newcastle United have completed the signing of Bruno Guimaraes from Lyon.

The Magpies have been working tirelessly to come to an agreement with French side Lyon over the in-demand midfielder and have finally done so.

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The fee for the 24-year-old is understood to be around £30million.

He becomes Eddie Howe’s third signing of the January transfer window following deals to bring in Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood.

Eddie Howe said: "Bruno is a hugely exciting talent and has been one of our primary targets so I'm delighted to secure him. He strengthens the group immediately ready for the challenge ahead.

"He has been one of the standout performers in France and is a full international for Brazil so I have no doubt our supporters will really enjoy watching him. We look forward to welcoming him to the club on his return from international duty."

A Brazil international, Guimaraes has been among Lyon's most impressive performers over the past two years.

He has played 71 times for the Ligue Un club, scoring three times, and had also attracted interest from Arsenal.

Guimaraes was part of the Brazil squad for the World Cup qualifier against Ecuador on Thursday and the move to St James' Park is expected to be announced on Friday.

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Newcastle are still pursuing a central defender as well as a goalkeeper.

Dean Henderson could be set for a deadline day move from Manchester United to the North East club.

While the Magpies have also agreed a £13million fee for Brighton defender Dan Burn.

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By moving to Newcastle, Guimaraes will fulfil his dream of playing in the Premier League having not been shy about his ambition to move to England.

He previously told FOX Sports: “I have always said to my agents that I dream of playing in England, it is the best league in the world, all the matches are close.

“Even when the team in first plays against the team in last, it looks like a final.”

Guimaraes has enjoyed a quick rise to prominence as one of Brazil’s brightest talents after initially being released by Flamengo at the age of 12.

The midfielder was snapped up by Athletico Paranaense in 2017 after a three-year spell with Brazil’s Serie D side Audax.

Arsenal and Chelsea soon made enquiries but it was Lyon who won the race to sign him in January 2020 following the intervention of the club’s sporting director and ex-Brazil international Juninho Pernambucano.