Liverpool transfer race: Liverpool need to stump up £100m for midfield target

Liverpool would need to stump up £100m in order to land Bruno Guimaraes, despite the fact the Newcastle star is 'almost certain' to leave this summer.

The 26-year-old Brazilian midfielder has shone since his £40m move to Newcastle back in January 2022, playing a starring role in the Magpies' qualification for the Champions League last season.

Guimaraes did sign a fresh deal in October, but the new terms come with a release clause and Newcastle's recent struggles make a summer exit likely.

The Brazil international has previously been linked to Liverpool, while reports that Newcastle may have to sell a star player in order to balance the books amid Financial Fair Play concerns have only stoked the fires of speculation.

However, there is little chance of Liverpool getting the midfielder on the cheap – with Newcastle preferring to sell to Spain.

According to Football Transfers, Guimaraes is almost certain to leave St. James' Park at the end of the season, but Eddie Howe's side "will not entertain offers" from any of Liverpool, Chelsea or Paris Saint-Germain.

Instead the Magpies are said to be open to selling to Barcelona at a price below the contractual release clause, with the former Lyon star dreaming of playing in Spain.

For Liverpool to do a deal, they would need to pay the full buyout clause – said to be £100m.

The chances of the Reds paying big for Newcastle's No. 39 are remote.

Jurgen Klopp's squad was boosted by four fresh midfield arrivals last summer, while highly rated youngster Stefan Bajcetic is still yet to return from injury.

Anfield Watch understands that Liverpool's transfer priority this year is strengthening the defence.

A left-sided centre back has been on the agenda for some time, while Joel Matip's contract situation opens the door for the possibility of further additions.

Genoa midfielder Morten Frendrup is a player the Reds have been monitoring but he would come at far less of a premium than a player like Guimaraes.