Medical booked and two on the brink of exits as Saint-Maximin says goodbye

According to The Telegraph, Harvey Barnes is expected to undergo a medical at Newcastle United this week.

With Allan Saint-Maximin ‘on the brink’ of a £30m move to Al-Ahli, the incoming funds have led to a ‘breakthrough’ in our pursuit of the Leicester City winger, who is expected to cost around £35m.

Karl Darlow is also edging closer to a summer exit, with Bournemouth in talks to land the 32-year-old stopper. Leeds have also shown interest, but it seems Eddie Howe’s former club are now leading the race.

The report states that Saint-Maximin has already said goodbye to his teammates and staff, adding that he’s ‘keen to make the move’ after being offered a reported £200,000 per-week by the Saudi Pro League side.

It’s thought Eddie Howe would have preferred to keep the 26-year-old on Tyneside, but it seems a sale was needed to free up funds and satisfy FFP regulations, creating wiggle room to bring in Barnes and step up our pursuit of Southampton’s Tino Livramento.

‘So annoying’: Bruno Guimaraes says he really can’t stand playing against £63m Man City player

Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes has admitted there is one Manchester City player he cannot stand playing against – but it might not be who you think it is.

Despite interest from City, Guimaraes joined Newcastle from Lyon in a £40m move in January 2022.

The Brazilian midfielder proved an instant hit on Tyneside with his accomplished performances and has helped propel his side up the table.

Last season Guimaraes scored four goals and provided five assists in the Premier League as Newcastle secured a top-four finish and with it a place in the Champions League for the first time in 20 years.

The 25-year-old has come up against City three times since he joined Newcastle, although he is yet to finish on the winning side.

Guimaraes played the full 90 minutes in 5-0 and 2-0 victories for City at the Etihad Stadium, and he put in an exceptional performance in a thrilling 3-3 draw at St. James’ Park last August.

He faced City once before joining Newcastle, playing 70 minutes of the 2019/20 Champions League quarter-final tie that saw Lyon eliminate Pep Guardiola’s side 3-1.

Bruno is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, but he still recognises the brilliance of his opposite numbers at City.

Speaking on the Charla Podcast, Guimaraes was asked about which City players impressed him the most, but admitted that one gets on his nerves.

“[Kevin] De Bruyne, by a country mile,” he replied.

“Also [Ilkay] Gundogan, Rodri too; he’s so annoying.”

Given Jack Grealish’s history with Guimaraes’ Newcastle teammate Miguel Almiron, you’d be forgiven for thinking the £100m attacker would be the one to get on Bruno’s nerves.

Instead, it’s Rodri, the unassuming holding midfielder who is at the heart of everything City do.

Perhaps that explains Guimaraes’ choice though; Rodri is so comfortable on the ball, so press-resistant and hyper-aware of what is going on around him that trying to dispossess him must be extremely frustrating.

Bruno also admitted that he loves former City skipper Ilkay Gundogan, and ‘dreams’ of playing like him.