Pep Guardiola has just called a player Manchester City were recently linked with ‘exceptional.’
Manchester City are back in action after a rare mid-week without a game on Saturday as they take on Newcastle United in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Pep Guardiola’s side can keep their dreams of winning back-to-back trebles alive with a victory but it won’t be easy.
City go into the game without crucial trio Kevin De Bruyne, Jack Grealish and Ederson and have found the Magpies difficult this season.
The two teams have met three times, with City winning twice but only by a single goal each time and Newcastle knocking the Blues out of the Carabao Cup.
Bruno Guimaraes played in all three games and Guardiola believes he is an ‘exceptional’ player.
Pep Guardiola on Bruno Guimaraes
Speaking in his press conference ahead of the game, Guardiola was asked about Guimaraes and said: “He is an exceptional holding midfielder.
“He is aggressive, with the ball or without the ball.
“At set pieces, he’s aggressive and is a real, complete holding midfielder since being at Lyon and now at a club who want to grow up and up.
“I’m sure he’s part of the project for the next years. Definitely.”
City have recently been linked with Guimaraes
Guimaraes might not be a part of the Newcastle project for much longer if reports are to be believed.
FootballTransfers reported on Monday that City are ‘exploring the prospect’ of making a move for the Brazilian in the summer transfer window.
It’s claimed City have a ‘huge interest’ in Guimarases, who cost Newcastle £40m when they signed him from Lyon in 2022.
Newcastle would no doubt demand a much higher fee than that if they were even willing to let the 26-year-old leave.
City could certainly use a new defensive midfielder with Kalvin Phillips no longer wanted and Guimaraes fits the bill.
