Lyon denies ‘false’ reports of Guimaraes agreement with Newcastle

French giants Lyon have ‘categorically’ denied that they have struck an agreement with Newcastle United for the transfer of Bruno Guimaraes.

The Magpies have managed to bring in Kieran Trippier from Atletico Madrid and Chris Wood from Burnley so far in the January transfer window.

But with less than a week remaining, Newcastle seem to have hit a wall with numerous reports of players or clubs rejecting their proposals.

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One deal that had looked promising was the one for Lyon midfielder Guimaraes, with usually reliable sources claiming he was set to do a medical in Brazil.

However, Lyon felt it necessary to clarify that there was no agreement between the two clubs at this point and warned against ‘false information’ in the media.

A statement on Lyon’s official website read: ‘Olympique Lyonnais categorically denies the false information disseminated by many media reporting an agreement between Newcastle and OL for the transfer of Brazilian international midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.

‘In this transfer window period where the slightest rumor is often presented as reality, Olympique Lyonnais reminds that only information officially released by the club is to be taken into consideration.’

Official statement from Olympique Lyonnais. No full agreement reached yet with Newcastle for Bruno Guimarães. 🚨 #OL

Payment terms [no installments accepted] and agent details among problems for Bruno deal, and no medical for Brazilian midfielder in Ecuador. #NUFC https://t.co/jiZ4rQhSqz

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 26, 2022

Meanwhile, former Premier League striker Noel Whelan thinks that Newcastle could “ignite” by signing Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli.

Whelan told Football Insider: “Any kind of quality they can bring through the door between now and Monday is worth doing. There’s no doubt that Dele Alli needs a change – and he might well ignite them.

“There’s still a player in there somewhere, he’s still so young – it’s just finding that consistent level. I think both Newcastle and Tottenham need this transfer to happen – it’s a nice little triangle.

“There’s a challenge there to bring out the best in him and listen – he could end up being their saviour. He needs that all-important game time and perhaps someone to believe in him that little bit more.”