Bruno Guimaraes is one of many midfield transfer targets for Manchester United with Casemiro set to leave at the end of the season

Manchester United are in ‘advanced talks’ to sign Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimaraes, as per Reuters. Their report has claimed it would be in an €80million (£69m) summer move but that Real Madrid’s interest threatens to complicate a switch.

Los Blancos’ interest dates back to 2022 with the Brazilian midfielder seeming likely to join before Newcastle’s hefty bid was sent to Lyon. However, initial contact between United and Guimaraes’ camp have suggested that both parties want the move.

The Magpies’ elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Barcelona has increased the likelihood of Guimaraes departing with European qualification for next season currently unlikely. Guimaraes would almost certainly arrive as a replacement for the outgoing Casemiro.

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A departure for the 34-year-old at the end of the season has already been confirmed and he has been recommending his fellow Brazilian as the perfect replacement. United have plenty of other midfield options including Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba and several others.

Two additions in the centre of the park would likely be needed this summer as United are light in midfield even with Casemiro still currently at the club. Champions League football also looks destined to return to Old Trafford for the 2026/27 campaign which makes the need for a deep squad even more important.

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Having been knocked out of both domestic cup competitions at the first round, United will only play 40 games this season which has allowed focus to be firmly on the Premier League.

Since taking interim charge, Michael Carrick has won seven out of a possible nine games to move. Their latest win came over top-five rivals Aston Villa with Casemiro on target for the third time under Carrick.

United have subsequently moved up to third in the table, six points clear of Chelsea, who occupy the first position outside of Champions League qualification.

Bournemouth are United’s next opponents with that clash taking place on Friday evening, which gives them the chance to put pressure on their rivals.

United could also be just four points behind Manchester City heading into the March international break as they are in Carabao Cup final action this weekend.

Despite mostly only playing once every week, injury problems have ramped up for Carrick in recent weeks and some key players are set to remain absent.

On Lisandro Martinez and then Matthijs de Ligt, Carrick said: “He’s [Martinez] a lot closer. He’s getting there. After this one, I think he’ll be alright Frustrating for Mata (De Ligt), he’s been trying to work towards getting back, it’s a back issue that’s proving difficult. We’ll keep working as hard as we can.”

Mason Mount returned to the matchday squad last weekend but is unlikely to be in the starting XI while Patrick Dorgu remains absent.

Carrick also revealed that Noussair Mazraoui has missed some training this week through illness but he is confident the defender can still feature at the Vitality Stadium.