Newcastle have already been forced to let go Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon in the summer transfer window, and could lose another key player in Bruno Guimarães, who wants to join Arsenal.
Eddie Howe appears resigned to the loss of Bruno Guimarães (Image: Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Manager Eddie Howe has admitted he is unsure whether Newcastle will retain captain Bruno Guimarães this summer amid mounting speculation linking him with a move to Arsenal.
Newcastle have already sold midfielder Sandro Tonali to Tottenham and forward Anthony Gordon to Barcelona, retaining around £170m in the process. And now it looks increasingly likely that Guimarães will lose to the Premier League champions.
The Gunners are set to test the Magpies’ resolve with a £70m bid for the Brazil international. This is said to be short of their £80m valuation, but the 28-year-old wants to leave St James’ Park this summer and that could be a deciding factor.
Guimarães was given three weeks off after playing for Brazil at the World Cup and has yet to return to Newcastle as they prepare for the 2026-27 season. But after Saturday’s disappointing 1-1 draw with Gateshead, Howe struck a pessimistic tone about the situation.
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“I spoke to him as usual,” the Newcastle manager said. “Bruno is a great guy and we had some great conversations before, during and after the World Cup.
“What we talk about should remain private. He’s a great player and a great person.”
He added: “I don’t know what the future holds for Bruno. That’s for others to speculate. But so are the conversations I’m not a part of.”
Asked about his plans to return during the preseason, Howe said, “Yeah, I think that plan has crossed my mind. I think it’ll be the 31st (of July).”
Bruno Guimarães is still on vacation after playing for Brazil at the World Cup (Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
“I think he’s on track to come back, so he’s going to take a long break now that he’s made further progress in the competition and is currently enjoying his holidays with his family. There’s nothing that says Bruno won’t come back to training with us.”
Newcastle have signed midfielder Alaj Bamba from Monaco for £34m to replace Tonali. They have also signed Sean Stoule, Juwen Jaouen and Bazoumana Toure, but there are common complaints about transfers on Tyneside, with some of the best players heading out after finishing 12th in the Premier League last season.
Asked about comparisons with the £125m sale of Alexander Isak to Liverpool last summer, Howe said: “I don’t think it’s fair to compare the situation to what happened before. I think you have to look at it that way. Bruno is the captain of our football club.”
“He has always been an incredible player and person throughout the time we have worked together. I speak for the entire football club. We absolutely love him and of course everyone wants him to stay.”
Arsenal have yet to make a formal approach to Newcastle for Guimarães, and a £70m bid would likely be rejected. Guimarães has made 195 appearances for Newcastle since joining from Lyon in 2022 and still has two years left on his contract with the Magpies.
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