Why Pep Guardiola is insisting on targeting Bruno Guimaraes, Arsenal appointment could up Alexander Isak interest – and why 43 fans have been banned this season: NEWCASTLE CONFIDENTIAL

Bruno Guimaraes is on Manchester City’s shortlist of midfield targets, with Pep Guardiola thought to have insisted on his inclusion.

Sources in Manchester say the Premier League champions are looking to sign two midfielders – at least one in January – and that City could test Newcastle’s resolve, be that in the New Year or summer.

Eddie Howe would resist any mid-season sales of key players such as Guimaraes, especially as he is the team’s captain and so central to how they play.

But beyond this season there is a growing acceptance that, because of PSR, one of the club’s big names will have to be sold, especially if not qualifying for the Champions League.

Guardiola loves Guimaraes and City were poised to make a move in the summer. However, they were initially put off by the £100million release clause that expired at the end of June. They later turned their attention to Ilkay Gundogan when it became known their former midfielder was available on a free transfer from Barcelona.

But the return of the 34-year-old has not worked and, with star midfielder Rodri out for the season with a knee injury and Mateo Kovacic also currently sidelined, City will strengthen that area of the pitch as a priority. Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton are also admired.

City boss Pep Guardiola is an admirer of the Newcastle captain – who is integral to the Mapgies

Interestingly, and this is one to keep an eye on, when Guimaraes was linked with City in the summer, sources in Manchester suggested Matheus Nunes could be used as part of a deal.

Guimaraes, 27, has more than three years to run on his contract, so Newcastle would be in a strong position when it comes to commanding a fee for the Brazilian.

Sporting director Paul Mitchell has a good relationship with City counterpart Txiki Begiristain and, as of now, I understand there have been no discussions between them over Guimaraes.

ALL EYES ON ARSENAL APPOINTMENT

On the subject of admiration for Newcastle’s top stars, the possible arrival of Roberto Olabe as Arsenal’s new sporting director would strengthen their interest in Alexander Isak.

The Gunners have had a conversation with the Spaniard – who will leave Real Sociedad at the end of the season – about replacing Edu in their top role at the Emirates Stadium.

It was at Sociedad that Olabe signed Isak from Borussia Dortmund for just £8million in 2019, before selling him to Newcastle for £63m three years later.

Confidential broke the story in October of Isak not being in contract talks with Newcastle, amid reports he was in line for a new deal. Discussions ceased over the summer with the club’s hierarchy taking the view they could not afford to give the striker a pay rise. They also pointed to him still having four years to run on his deal at that point.

My information remains that Arsenal have the Swede near the top of their list of targets for next summer, and Olabe’s arrival would no doubt help their cause.

But for now, as Eddie Howe said in response to our story, it is up to Isak to prove his worth in a black and white shirt. With five goals in seven games since, he is certainly doing that.

Arsenal’s resolve to sign Alexander Isak could grow with the possible arrival of Roberto Olabe

NO SAMBA REUNION FOR MIRA

While Newcastle fans do not want to see forwards like Alexander Isak leave the club, another former striker could not get in recently!

Confidential understands that Mirandinha and one of his representatives turned up at the training ground in the hope of seeing compatriots Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.

However, given their arrival was unannounced and the players were not available at the time, the Brazilian could not gain entry.

The club did, though, grant him access to St James’ Park during last month’s visit. Mira was here to raise awareness for Rotary International’s Global Polio Eradication programme.

TOUTS BANNED

Newcastle have now banned 43 season-ticket holders or members who have sold on tickets for home matches on third-party websites.

The club and the Fan Advisory Board are keen for the numbers to be known, acting as a deterrent to others. Newcastle staff had noted some tickets being resold for as much as £400.

There are also currently 750 ongoing cases from last season where supporters are being monitored for ticket touting, while a massive 52,000 bot attacks from SeatGeek have been identified and prevented.

Newcastle have now banned 43 season-ticket holders or members who have sold on tickets for home matches on third-party websites

KK DECISION HELPS TOON?

Kevin Keegan may have inadvertently played a part in Newcastle’s brilliant display in their 3-3 draw with Liverpool on Wednesday.

Confidential reported last month that the club were open to hosting Keegan for the game between his former clubs, with Wor Flags planning a special tribute to him.

However, word came back that Keegan would not be attending. I understand his stance is that he will return when the club wins a trophy.

Given his absence, Wor Flags were given scope to change their plans and, while the Keegan display will take place down the line, they decided that a message more relevant to the current team was needed.

And so, when the players emerged from the tunnel, a giant banner declaring ’Get into them’ was the first thing they saw, and the last thing they read before kick-off. It proved inspirational and Newcastle duly ‘got into them’ during a performance bearing all the hallmarks of Eddie Howe’s side at their very best.

Don’t underestimate the power of that banner.

Newcastle fans held up a banner that read ‘Get into them’ before their 3-3 draw with Liverpool

COMMENTATOR SLIP…

Now here is an interesting thought – a hybrid footballer of Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak.

It was only when I got back home after the Liverpool game and watched the highlights did I notice the commentator’s use of ‘Anthony Isak’ on a couple of occasions.

Clive Tyldesley made a genuine mistake – it happens – but it did make me think of how much that player would be worth, if Isak’s finishing prowess was added to Gordon’s game. I reckon they’d be better than Mo Salah!

It also got me wondering about which pair of Newcastle stars from the past you would most like to merge. Of all those I considered, I think Peter Shearer would be a multiple Ballon d’Or winner!

KEY ARRIVAL SOUGHT

Back to more serious matters, Newcastle are looking to make another key appointment off the pitch, and one that will work as part of the team looking to get ahead of PSR.

A new head of procurement will soon be appointed – in layman’s terms, this is the person responsible for buying goods and services from external sources – and they will report to Simon Capper, the club’s chief financial officer.

The successful candidate will be responsible for implementing a brand-new procurement function across the club and will be tasked with engaging with local businesses.

Capper has his finger on the calculator when it comes to PSR, and any shrewd dealings that reduce the club’s operating costs all play their part in making the team more competitive on the pitch.

BRUNO IS MAGIC (AT LAST)!

It would be remiss of me not to mention one very significant happening this week, given I’ve mentioned its non-occurrence in this column on several occasions. Bruno Guimaraes won a coin toss at St James’ Park!

The captain had lost the pre-match spin on the previous six occasions at home in the Premier League this season, meaning Newcastle did not kick downhill towards the Gallowgate End in the second half, as is their preference.

So when he emerged from the meeting of the two captains with the officials on the centre spot and threw his arms in the air on Wednesday, all inside St James’ knew immediately that his luck had changed!

MIDFIELD MINEFIELD…

Eddie Howe thinks I’m obsessed with his midfield three, and he laughed when I asked him about Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton after the Liverpool game.

He did admit it was a worthy point of debate and proceeded to give a long answer as to the merits of their latest deployment, with Tonali as a No 6.

Anyway, I must dash, I’ve got to update to my ‘midfield three’ wallchart. See you next week!

Sandro Tonali (left) was deployed as a No 6 in a midfield three with Guimaraes and Joelinton

TOON TEASER!

It’s Toon Teaser time. Last week’s puzzler was: can you name the 14 players to have played for Newcastle and Crystal Palace since 1992. The answers were; Patrick van Aanholt, Darren Ambrose, Shola Amoeba, Yohan Cabaye, Fumaca, Dwight Gayle, Fitz Hall, Paul Kitson, Shefki Kuqi, Craig Moore, Peter Ramage, Wayne Routledge, Loic Remy and Andros Townsend

This week’s question is… can you name the FIFTEEN players to have played for Newcastle and Liverpool since 1992… No curveballs here, all gettable. Good luck!

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