Suitors for Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes could supposedly spread the cost of his release clause into three affordable payments.
Since departing Lyon for St James' Park midway through the 2021-22 season, the Brazil international has blossomed into one of the finest all-around midfielders in Europe, helping to propel the Magpies back into the Champions League earlier than expected.
From 87 appearances in a Newcastle jersey, Guimaraes has scored 11 goals and set up 10 more, despite often being deployed as Eddie Howe's number six due to a lack of other available options.
Amid interest from Barcelona, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Liverpool and Chelsea, Newcastle agreed a long-term renewal with Guimaraes in October, tying him down until the end of the 2027-28 campaign.
However, the Magpies reportedly agreed to insert a release clause in Guimaraes's deal worth close to £100m, allowing him to make a swift exit from the club should he wish while ensuring that Newcastle are fairly compensated.
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With Guimaraes supposedly pining for a move to La Liga with either Real Madrid or Barcelona, a recent report claimed that Newcastle would be open to accepting lower bids from the duo while demanding the full release clause from other parties.
Now, AS claims that any club willing to trigger Guimaraes's exit clause would be able to pay the Magpies £32m across a three-year spell, and the Magpies are preparing for his seemingly inevitable exit.
Despite their lucrative Saudi-backed takeover, which made them one of the richest clubs in the world, Newcastle's transfer activity remains restricted due to Financial Fair Play and their on-field performance.
Newcastle's group-stage exit from the Champions League - which allegedly infuriated Guimaraes - had a significant impact on their finances, and as things stand in the Premier League, the 10th-placed Magpies will miss out on European football entirely next term.
As a result, Newcastle are prepared to make one marquee sale to help balance the books and have earmarked Guimaraes as the best option, given the amount of high-calibre clubs vying for his signature and his apparent desire to move on.
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Barcelona, whom Guimaraes supposedly has his heart set on a move to, are said to have been in constant contact with the midfielder's entourage, but they cannot afford to trigger his release clause amid their well-documented financial concerns.
However, the Catalan giants have reportedly not closed the door on a summer bid, and Newcastle may be willing to lower their demands for Xavi's side if Guimaraes makes it clear that he wants to join La Blaugrana above all else.
The likes of Alexander Isak and Sven Botman are also said to have attracted interest from elsewhere, but with Newcastle already expecting to lose Guimaraes, the former duo are not up for sale this summer.
The Magpies were undone by a late Oscar Bobb goal in a 3-2 loss to Manchester City on Saturday evening and are back in action on January 27, when they travel to Fulham for a fourth-round FA Cup tie.
Ben Knapton
