Liverpool have reportedly joined the race to sign in-demand Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.
The Brazil international made an immediate impact at St James' Park after arriving in January, snubbing interest from Arsenal to link up with Eddie Howe's side.
Guimaraes ended his first half-season at Newcastle with five goals and one assist from 17 Premier League outings, and he has kept up his strong form in 2022-23.
The 24-year-old has established himself as one of the Premier League's leading midfielders, scoring two goals and providing two assists and impressing with his all-round play.
Guimaraes's efforts have helped Newcastle rise into the top four of the Premier League table, and top clubs are understandably monitoring his performances.
The Magpies have Guimaraes under contract until the summer of 2026, but Manchester City, Chelsea and Real Madrid have all been linked with a move for the South American.
Now, TNT Sports claims that Liverpool have also expressed an interest in Guimaraes, but Real Madrid have made the most progress and have gone as far as to make contact with is camp.
Liverpool are expected to prioritise the signing of a new engine room enforcer in 2023, with Arthur joining on loan from Juventus but suffering a serious thigh injury not long after his arrival.
The report adds that Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti views Guimaraes as the ideal successor to Casemiro, who left the Bernabeu for Manchester United in the summer transfer window.
However, Newcastle are determined to fend off interest in the ex-Lyon man's services and want to tie him down to a new-and-improved deal as a matter of priority.
Guimaraes himself has offered hope of a long-term stay by telling reporters that he wants to become a Magpies "legend", saying: "I never doubted the project, I believe in it.
"I always wanted to play in the Premier League and I am now just enjoying that. The ground love me and I love them. I want to keep going. I want to be a legend here. Real Madrid is the best team in the world. It is nice, but it is just a conversation, it is nothing."
Furthermore, Howe has expressed his desire to keep the midfielder on the books for years to come, telling the press: "We desperately want him to be happy here and see a long-term vision here, but time will tell on that.
"We have to build positively. As long as a player sees an ambition in the club, hopefully we can fulfil the needs of everyone here. We are in the early stages of that so we don't want to disturb that.
"I am new here so I am aware of the Newcastle legends of the past and I want my players to aspire to be the next one and if that is part of his motivation then I am all for it. He has the ability to be one of those players, but he has a long way to get there."
Guimaraes has a total of seven goals and three assists from 27 games for Newcastle, who will aim to strengthen their grip on a top-four place when they tackle Everton on Saturday. body check tags ::
