NEWCASTLE: Bruno Guimaraes believes a realistic aim for Newcastle United is not only qualifying for the Champions League, but winning the tournament.

The Brazilian international made the remarkable statement at his first press unveiling since making the $55.6 million switch to St James鈥� Park from Ligue 1 outfit Lyon last week.

Guimaraes and his ambitions are the talk of Tyneside after he lay down the marker ahead of his expected Premier League debut this evening against Everton.

鈥淭his is a club that is going to be a big power in world football,鈥� said the 24-year-old. 鈥淭here is something special about joining a project at the start 鈥� and the respect the fans give you for that.

鈥淭his is an historic club with a great tradition and a beautiful history. I have no doubts about my decision to come to Newcastle.鈥�

Guimaraes, who Eddie Howe hinted may be eased into life in the top flight, was very clear about the club鈥檚 ideal short and long-term aims.

And it sounds like he has not come to Newcastle to mess around, despite their lowly position 鈥� 19th 鈥� in the top flight table.

He said: 鈥淭hey were very upfront and honest about it. They didn鈥檛 disguise that the main objective and challenge was remaining in the Premier League this season.

鈥淏ut in the seasons coming, the objective is to be in the Champions League and eventually to win the Champions League,鈥� Guimaraes added. 鈥淚 am someone who is driven by challenges.鈥�

Guimaraes, who will wear the No. 39 as a tribute to his taxi driver father in his homeland, has revealed that he spoke in-depth with a number of his international teammates before making the switch to Tyneside 鈥� and even took in the word of a former NUFC defender, now a coach in France.

The likable, positive new signing also gave a nod to Newcastle鈥檚 history, wishing his best to the first ever Brazilian to play in English football, United鈥檚 own 1980s star, Mirandinha.

He said: 鈥淚 would like to send my best wishes to Mirandinha and to say thanks and send my regards to Claudio Cacapa (former Newcastle defender), who is a coach at Lyon.

鈥淗e encouraged me to come here and told me so much about the club.鈥�

Conversations with Manchester United鈥檚 Alex Telles, Manchester City鈥檚 Gabriel Jesus and Chelsea鈥檚 Thiago Silva also helped swing the balance in Newcastle鈥檚 favour, with the likes of Arsenal and Juventus also keen on the player.

Guimaraes added: 鈥淭hey told me how difficult it is to play away at Newcastle given how passionate the fans are, that it鈥檚 one of the most difficult away fixtures in the league, so I didn鈥檛 have to think twice about coming here.

鈥淚t has always been my dream to play in the Premier League 鈥� I have made no secret of that,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd Newcastle have presented a very interesting project, and I am very happy with the faith the directors and the president placed in me.

鈥淚 am a central midfielder who likes possession of the ball, and I am looking forward to helping my teammates, the club and the manager.鈥�