Newcastle United have initiated discussions with Bruno Guimaraes regarding a fresh contract extending beyond his current deal until 2028. Earlier this week, it was reported that Manchester United are in advanced negotiations to secure Guimaraes in a £69million deal, though renewed interest from Real Madrid could potentially derail the proposed transfer.

However, the Chronicle reports that suggestions of ‘advanced talks’ are inaccurate. Nonetheless, whether those contract discussions resume before or after the World Cup, which might strengthen Guimaraes’ negotiating position should he perform well at the tournament, remains uncertain.

Speaking about his Newcastle future last year, he said: “I hope to stay much longer. I don’t know what the future brings; let’s see, but I hope to play much more for Newcastle United.”

Meanwhile, former Newcastle striker Alan Shearer dismissed transfer speculation surrounding Guimaraes as ‘rubbish’.

“Newcastle have to get through the season,” he told Betfair. “They have to somehow get European football, whether that’s Europa League or whether that’s the Conference League.

“They have to somehow get European football. I guess it’s been happening for the last two months. I’ve seen the reports myself now on Bruno Guimaraes. I also know that a lot of the reports are rubbish.

“If Newcastle don’t qualify for European football, then the noise around their top players will only get louder.

“Then it becomes difficult not only to keep your top players, but also then it becomes difficult to bring top players in because top players want European football.

“So that’s going to happen more and more between now and the end of the season. If there’s any truth in it, I haven’t got a clue, but that will happen if Newcastle don’t get European football.

“That’s the same for most clubs, but obviously with Newcastle, that’s what happens when you have a little taste of success.

“If that doesn’t continue, then that’s when the transfer talk will happen. There’s no difference to anyone else.

“It’s the same at Tottenham, it’s the same at Man United, it’s the same at Villa. Villa will have the same issues as well, there’ll be talk about Morgan Rogers.”