Man Utd 'talks held' over Bruno Guimaraes transfer amid clear Newcastle stance

 Manchester United remain linked with a potential move for Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes. The Red Devils will need to wait until the summer transfer window opens before they can enter the market for new signings, with Guimaraes emerging as a possible target.

United have been strongly linked with signing a new midfielder when the window opens, with those reports gathering pace since it was confirmed that Casemiro would be departing Old Trafford when his contract runs out at the end of the campaign.

A report from Brazilian outlet UOL has suggested that United have already conducted discussions with Guimaraes' representatives regarding a potential switch this summer.

Guimaraes is said to be a player of interest to United thanks to his extensive experience in the Premier League thus far, alongside his leadership qualities and a potential price tag around €70 million (£60.8m), reports the Manchester Evening News.

This sum is one that United are believed to consider affordable this summer, though it hasn't been stated at what stage, if at all, the Red Devils might table an offer to Newcastle in a bid to secure their star midfielder.

Guimaraes is presently sidelined with a hamstring problem which has kept the midfielder out of Newcastle's previous 11 fixtures in all competitions. The Brazilian hasn't played for the Magpies since February 10 and confirmed on Sunday that he had been diagnosed with mumps.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe was quizzed about the recent rumours connecting United with a move for Guimaraes, especially claims of discussions already taking place regarding a possible transfer.

"I don't think I have to respond to that. It is a waste of my energy,” Howe said, via Chronicle Live. "Bruno is our captain and he is fully committed at the moment. He is injured at the moment; his only focus is coming back to fitness."

Howe added: "I am going to be impolite, for me it is a nonsense story. 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. You don't want the players distracted I don't know how much they will absorb that.

"For me, it is not the time to think about it. In the summer, you can understand those stories a little bit more because the transfer window is open.

"To say our captain is in discussions with another club is totally disrespectful to Bruno more than anything else, he is totally committed here."