Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimar�es is in the sights of Al Ittihad, with the newly crowned Saudi Pro League champions willing to pay the Brazil international's 120 million ($135 million) release clause, sources confirmed to ESPN Brasil's Gustavo Hofman.
Sources told ESPN that Alexis Malavolta, Guimar�es' agent, was in Saudi Arabia last week and had a meeting with the board of Al Ittihad, who have the 27-year-old as a priority for next season.
The information was first reported by TNT Sports Brazil.
Guimar�es' current contract with Newcastle runs until the end of the 2027-28 season.
A possible salary figure for Guimar�es has not yet been discussed in the first contact between the parties. However, the player's management is not considering a figure lower than between 40 million and 50 million ($45 million and $56 million) per year, sources said.
But Al Ittihad aren't the only Saudi club interested in signing Guimar�es. Al Hilal, the former club of Neymar, are also keen to sign the Brazilian.
The club has opened talks with Guimar�es' agent, however he is seen as a back-up option with Al Hilal's main objective to sign Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes.
Guimar�es has scored five goals and provided nine assists in 53 appearances for Newcastle and Brazil this season. He also helped Newcastle end their 70-year domestic trophy drought with victory over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final.
