Romano Confirms Man Utd Met with Guimaraes' Agents as Midfield Overhaul Looms

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Manchester United's hierarchy sat down with representatives of Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes a few weeks back, though the transfer specialist has tempered expectations about how far negotiations have progressed.

The Red Devils face a significant midfield rebuild this summer following the departures of Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte. With at least two new central midfielders on the shopping list, Guimaraes has emerged as a target, but Romano's account suggests the situation remains far from straightforward.

"It's true. A meeting took place between the agents of Bruno Guimaraes and United a few weeks ago," Romano revealed. "United maintain a good relationship with the agency. Other players are on the list. The club has a lot of things to clarify and options to study before making a decision."

The transfer expert went on to underline just how complicated extracting a player from St James' Park can prove. "Bruno Guimaraes is a player appreciated by Man United, but don't forget how complicated it is to get players from Newcastle," he explained. "Let's also respect Newcastle's position, Newcastle don't want to lose all their players in the same summer. So it's not an easy deal."

There's another significant obstacle: the Brazilian international's £100m release clause, which Romano insists was only valid during the summer of 2024. That window has firmly shut, meaning any future arrangement would require proper negotiation between the two clubs rather than a straightforward buyout clause activation.

"The release clause, of £100m, was only valid in the summer of 2024 according to my information, it's no longer valid," Romano stated. "So now a negotiation is needed. Obviously, the price, Newcastle will have their opinion, we will see what's going to happen."

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has made his feelings crystal clear on the matter, labelling the speculation as wholly inappropriate. The Magpies manager dismissed talk of his captain entertaining offers elsewhere as "totally disrespectful" to Guimaraes himself.

"Is it a problem for us? I don't necessarily think it is a problem for us. But it is unwanted news, I suppose, is the best way to put it," Howe said. "You don't want the players distracted. I don't know how much they will absorb that."

Howe stressed that such discussions belong to the summer window rather than the middle of the campaign, and reiterated his skipper's full commitment to the club. "To say our captain is in discussions with another club is totally disrespectful to Bruno more than anything else, he is totally committed here," the Newcastle manager added.

The Magpies boss concluded by calling the entire narrative a "nonsense story," pointing out that Guimaraes is currently sidelined through injury and focused entirely on his recovery. "Bruno's our captain, he's fully committed, he's injured at the moment, his only focus is coming back to fitness."