Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe uncertain about Bruno Guimaraes’ future

LONDON – Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe said he is unsure whether Bruno Guimaraes will remain at the club amid interest from Arsenal, but said he had held “good conversations” with the midfielder.

Reports in the British media have linked English Premier League champions Arsenal with a move for the 28-year-old Brazilian international.

“I’ve had some really good conversations with him before the World Cup, during the World Cup and after the World Cup,” Howe told reporters after Newcastle’s 1-1 draw with fifth-tier Gateshead in a pre-season game on July 25.

“What we speak about has to remain private, but he’s just a great player, a great person.

“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.”

Newcastle have already lost two key players in this transfer window, with winger Anthony Gordon joining Barcelona and midfielder Sandro Tonali heading to Tottenham Hotspur.

“We don’t want to lose our best players. That’s an obvious statement to make. Losing those big two is painful for us and difficult. For me, it’s been another challenging summer so far,” he said.

Newcastle also lost out to Liverpool and Aston Villa for Spanish winger Victor Munoz and Swiss midfielder Johan Manzambi respectively, despite looking close to sealing both deals.

So far, the Magpies have signed Dutch midfielder Sean Steur, 18; French goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen, 20; Ivorian winger Bazoumana Toure, 20; and French midfielder Aladji Bamba, 20.

Only Steur featured against Gateshead, with Jaouen on the bench. Toure and Bamba have yet to start training with their new team.

With the youthful nature of the Magpies’ summer signings, it is no surprise that Howe is keen to keep hold of Guimaraes.

“Bruno is the captain of our football club. He’s been an unbelievable player and person all through the time we have worked together.

“I speak on behalf of everyone at the football club. We absolutely love him and, of course, everyone will want him to stay.”

Sky Sports and The Athletic have reported that Guimaraes has told Newcastle that he wants to leave and join Arsenal, with the Gunners having a verbal offer of below £60 million (S$118.6 million) rejected in June.

The BBC, meanwhile, said the Premier League champions are set to make a £70 million offer.

Arsenal are also exploring a bid for Brazil winger Vinicius Jr, should he decide not to extend his Real Madrid contract, which expires in 12 months.

The Athletic on July 25 said the interest is at an early stage and there have been no club-to-club talks yet.

The 26-year-old finished second in Ballon d’Or voting in 2024 and won the Best FIFA Men’s Player gong that same year.

He registered 22 goals and 14 assists for Real last season and has tallied 128 goals and 100 assists in his 375 appearances for the club.

Elsewhere in London, Chelsea are close to signing Crystal Palace and France centre-back Maxence Lacroix for £52 million, according to reports.

The Blues have already signed Italian fullback Marco Palestra and England midfielder Morgan Rogers, while Portuguese winger Geovany Quenda and Dutch striker Emmanuel Emegha have also arrived at Stamford Bridge following transfers agreed in previous seasons.

Meanwhile, Japan forward Daizen Maeda has joined Ipswich Town from Celtic on a three-year contract, the newly promoted Premier League club announced on July 25 in a reported £10 million deal.

In 4½ years with Celtic, Maeda won five Scottish titles, three Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups and was named 2024-25 PFA Scotland Players’ Player of the Year. The 28-year-old scored 79 goals in 212 appearances for Celtic.
REUTERS, AFP