Bruno Guimaraes has revealed Real Madrid were interested in signing him during the transfer window, but the Newcastle United midfielder is happy to stick with what he believes will be "one of the best projects in the world" at St James' Park.

Guimaraes has been outstanding for Newcastle since joining from Lyon in a £35million January deal.

Eddie Howe's side were in the Premier League relegation zone at the time, but they finished 11th last season and are now up to sixth.

Since Guimaraes' debut in early February, Newcastle have earned 48 points from 26 games, with only Manchester City (59), Arsenal (57), Tottenham (55) and Liverpool (54) picking up more.

In that time, Guimaraes has scored seven goals, more than any Newcastle team-mate.

But he is not merely a goalscoring midfielder, also leading the Magpies in tackles (65) and ranking second in recoveries (129) and successful dribbles (31).

"I never doubted the project. I believed it in the beginning," Guimaraes told the Mirror, adding: "This will be one of the best projects in the world."

Such dominant displays might understandably attract the attention of Europe's elite, including Champions League winners Madrid.

Los Blancos have started to move away from their hugely successful long-time midfield three of Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric.

Casemiro, Guimaraes' Brazil team-mate, was sold to Manchester United, and new man Aurelien Tchouameni already has a key role.

Guimaraes could have joined the France international in the centre of the pitch at the Santiago Bernabeu, but he is happy on Tyneside.

"I feel at home here," he said. "Real Madrid is the best team in the world. It is nice. It was just a conversation, but it is nothing."