Olympique Lyonnais has refuted claims that a deal with Newcastle United for 29-year-old midfielder Bruno Guimaraes has been finalised.
The Brazil international has been linked with a move away from Parc OL since the beginning of the season with Arsenal being touted as his next destination. Newcastle United came into the picture recently and tabled a £33.5 million bid to Lyon, which many sources claimed the club accepted.
However, in a short statement on the club’s website, the French club has vehemently denied all the reports of a deal being struck for the midfielder between both clubs.
The club wrote, on Wednesday, in a statement on their website: “Olympique Lyonnais categorically denies the false information disseminated by many media reporting an agreement between Newcastle and OL for the transfer of Brazilian international midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
“In this transfer window period where the slightest rumor is often presented as reality, Olympique Lyonnais reminds that only information officially released by the club is to be taken into consideration.”
Earlier reports from multiple sources claimed that the club had accepted the bid from the Magpies, who are pushing for multiple reinforcements ahead under their new Saudi-backed owners. The club from Tyneside have already spent over £30 million to sign Kieran Trippier from Atlético de Madrid and Chris Wood from Burnley.
More signings are expected in the middle of the park for Newcastle, which led to the club tabling a bid for the Arsenal-linked Guimaraes. The sources confirmed that Guimaraes is open to leaving Lyon, which could have led to the media reports – now debunked as rumours by Lyon – making the rounds earlier on Wednesday.
Guimaraes: We play like robots in France
Guimaraes signed for Lyon on a four-year deal from Brazilian side Atletico Paranaense in January 2020. However, his latest comments on his time in France suggests that he is ready to jump ship.
In an interview with Globo Esporte shared on Monday, Guimaraes suggested that 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 said.
“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 went on to add: “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.”
However, with the latest developments from the Lyon camp, it is safe to say that there will be no immediate jumping of ship for the Brazilian, who was even reported to be undergoing a medical in Brazil ahead of the supposed move to Newcastle.
Guimaraes has made 25 appearances in all competitions for Lyon this season, registering six assists.
