Eddie Howe has made it clear he cannot guarantee Bruno Guimaraes will still be a Newcastle United player, as reports continue to link Arsenal with a £70m offer for the club captain. It is a delicate moment for Newcastle, with a key midfielder already gone and pre-season moving quickly towards its next stage.
Howe said he has had positive discussions with Guimaraes, but also stressed that he does not know what will happen next. He pointed out that the conversations are private and insisted the midfielder remains an important figure at the club.
Howe keeps the door open
The Newcastle head coach said he had spoken to Guimaraes before the World Cup, during the tournament and again after it. He described the Brazilian as both a great player and a great person, but stopped well short of offering any assurance that the story ends with him staying at St James' Park.
That is the key line in all of this. Howe is not closing the door on a sale, even if he also made clear how highly he values the 2022 signing who became his third recruit at Newcastle United.
He said: “I don't know what's going to happen with Bruno's future. That's for other people to speculate about. They are conversations that I'm not part of.”
In other words, Howe is protecting the internal side of the situation while acknowledging that outside interest exists. For supporters, that will not feel like a full reassurance.
Why Bruno matters so much
Bruno Guimaraes is not just another squad member. He is the captain of Newcastle United, and Howe described him as an unbelievable player and person throughout their time together.
That is why the possible interest from Arsenal carries real weight. Newcastle's midfield has already been weakened by the departure of Sandro Tonali this month, and any further change would raise obvious questions about balance before the season gets properly under way.
There are also comparisons being made with Liverpool's pursuit of Alexander Isak last summer, which adds another layer to the conversation. For Newcastle, this is not simply about a bid being reported. It is about how a club in transition protects its best players while still trying to keep momentum.
Howe's response after Saturday's 1-1 draw with Gateshead in a pre-season friendly was also telling. He said Guimaraes had played really well and could be pleased with his performance and first showing in Newcastle colours this summer.
What happens next?
Guimaraes is due to return to Newcastle on Friday and is expected to fly with the squad for a pre-season training camp in Spain the same day. That means the next few days could be important, even if no immediate decision is expected in public.
For now, the message is simple. Newcastle love their captain, Howe wants him to stay and Arsenal are being linked with a serious bid. The manager cannot guarantee the ending, which is exactly why this story will continue to dominate Newcastle United Transfer News.
