Newcastle have bid £30m for Lyon midfielder Bruno Guimaraes.

Toon manager Eddie Howe has identified the holding role as a priority position and there is hope of concluding a deal with the cash-strapped French club, says the Daily Mail.

Talks are advancing with Newcastle offering a substantial rise on his current salary.

A long-time target for Arsenal and Juventus, Guimaraes has been expecting bids to arrive this week but Lyon's asking price had been beyond most.

Newcastle have sensed an opportunity and are proposing a bid to tempt Lyon who need the cash but must also pay a 20 percent sell on to his previous club Athletico Paranaense.