Manchester United are monitoring the situation of Lyon midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, reports Sky Sports.
Guimaraes is also subject of interest from Arsenal, PSG, and Tottenham. But any pre-deadline day deal is made difficult because he is currently with the Brazil squad.
Who is Bruno Guimaraes?
Lyon signed Guimaraes from Athletico Paranaenense in 2020. The 24-year-old has become a regular and his performances have attracted significant interest.
The 24-year-old defensive midfielder has provided six assists in 25 games this season in Ligue 1 and the Europa League.
The Evening Standard reported earlier this month there was also interest in him from Everton and Newcastle. With United’s need for a midfielder, it was only a matter of time before the Red Devils were linked. Fabrizio Romano reports Newcastle have also submitted an offer, but have no response from Lyon.
Last year Brazil coach Tite made a lofty comparison, quoted by France Football: “We currently lack a midfielder. A player like Falcao in the past or like De Bruyne today, someone able to bring more creativity, speed. Bruno Guimaraes, has enormous potential and can be that player.”
Impressive numbers
This season Bruno Guimaraes ranks number one in Ligue 1 for passes into the final third (150) and first for successful through balls (10), per FBRef.com.
Guimaraes also ranks as the number one midfielder in France for successful tackles (44) and top three for off-ball pressures (423).
He ranks joint fourth for progressive carries (157), which shows how comfortable he is dribbling the ball forward in addition to his qualities passing it.
Lyon signed him for just £17 million two seasons ago and they will want to make a profit. Fabrizio Romano reported this month the French side will only consider offers of 45m Euros (£37 million).
Is a move likely?
A move before the transfer deadline for any midfielder seems fairly improbable from Manchester United’s perspective. The club have chosen so far not to make moves for Denis Zakaria and Boubacar Kamara, both of who are available for a fraction of the price.
This indicates United’s incoming transfers are on hold until the summer, possibly with a view to signing better players, instead of simply ‘who is available’.
Bruno Guimaraes could fir the bill for a more aspirational target, a midfielder capable as much of creating attacks as he is destroying them. He is comparable in style to Wolves’ Ruben Neves in that regard.
A decision could rest with United’s next boss, as United look set to gamble and hope no other club succeeds in signing him this January. There is a very real chance Newcastle are successful with their bid. It’s unlikely this forces United into action either.
If the midfielder does stay at Lyon past the deadline, it is sensible for United to continue ‘closely monitor’ the Brazilian ahead of the summer, and add him to a list of possible options for the new boss to choose from.
- I was desperate for Man United to sign Eduardo Camavinga, but his latest Real Madrid decision is a worry
- Joshua Zirkzee’s stance on Juventus move could fast-track Man Utd exit
- Danilo has already learned two important skills from Casemiro amid rumblings he could move to Man Utd
- Man Utd may immediately repeat their successful Youri Tielemans ‘trick’ with their next midfield signing
- Why Man Utd’s brand-new Adidas away shirt for 2026/27 Premier League season is in blue design
- Alejandro Garnacho’s Aston Villa spell could determine which of his two ex-Man Utd teammates’ footsteps he follows
- There’s one major difference with how Benjamin Sesko looks in training
- What Manchester United’s XI vs Rosenborg looked like in 2024 pre-season clash
- Unprecedented transfer move: Man Utd swoop for third midfielder would rip up the club’s transfer history
- Michael Carrick’s Chido Obi decision vs Wrexham is puzzling after JJ Gabriel’s inclusion for Rosenborg
- There is one thing missing from the Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo combination
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
