Eddie Howe has offered no guarantees over Bruno Guimarães’ future at Newcastle United, as Arsenal prepare to test the club’s resolve with a bid exceeding £70m for the Brazil midfielder.
The Newcastle head coach revealed he has held “really good conversations” with his captain before, during and after the World Cup, but insisted the talks would remain private. “I don’t know what’s going to happen with Bruno’s future,” Howe said after Saturday’s 1-1 pre-season friendly draw against Gateshead. “That’s for other people to speculate about. They are conversations that I’m not part of.”
“Arsenal set to bid over £70m for Newcastle captain Bruno Guimarães; Howe admits future uncertain.”
Arsenal are expected to formalise their interest in the coming weeks, with transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano reporting the club will make an offer exceeding £70m. The Gunners are also understood to have already reached personal terms with the 28-year-old, who remains under contract at St James’ Park until 2028. While social media claims of an £80m bid have been denied by ChronicleLive, Arsenal are said to be unwilling to meet that asking price.
Howe, however, stressed the club’s affection for their talisman. “Bruno is the captain of our football club,” he said. “He’s been an unbelievable player and person all through the time we have worked together. We absolutely love him and, of course, everyone will want him to stay.”
Comparisons have been drawn with last summer’s pursuit of Alexander Isak by Liverpool, which eventually led to the striker pushing to leave. But Howe rejected the parallel: “You’ve got to look at it in its own right. There’s nothing to say Bruno won’t be back training with us.”
The uncertainty comes at a delicate time for Newcastle’s midfield, which has already lost Sandro Tonali to Tottenham in a deal worth up to £100m this month. Young replacements Sean Steur and Aladji Bamba have arrived from Ajax and Monaco respectively, with Steur making his debut against Gateshead. Howe praised the 18-year-old’s performance: “He played really well today. He can be really pleased with his first showing in Newcastle colours.”
Guimarães is due to return from holiday on Friday and will join the squad for a pre-season training camp in Spain. Whether he remains a Newcastle player beyond that trip rests on negotiations Howe admits are beyond his control.