Eddie Howe has admitted he cannot guarantee Bruno Guimaraes will remain at Newcastle United, although the Magpies boss has made no secret of his desire to keep the club captain despite continued interest from Arsenal.
The Gunners have been credited with interest in Guimaraes throughout the summer as Mikel Arteta weighs up further additions to his midfield before the transfer window closes.
While Arsenal are understood to admire the Brazil international, there has been no indication that formal negotiations between the clubs have taken place.
Speaking for the first time since speculation over Guimaraes intensified, Howe praised the midfielder but stopped short of ruling out a possible transfer.
“I’ve spoken to Bruno before, during and after the World Cup,” Howe told reporters. “We have had some really good conversations. He’s just a fantastic person.”
The Newcastle manager also acknowledged that the player’s future may not rest entirely in his hands.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen with his future, that’s for other people to speculate about,” Howe said. “There’s conversations I’m not part of.”
Howe was also asked whether the situation was comparable to last summer’s uncertainty surrounding Alexander Isak.
“I don’t think it’s fair to compare,” he added. “You’ve got to look at it in its own right.”
Despite refusing to make any guarantees, Howe made his feelings about Guimaraes perfectly clear.
“He’s captain of our club and been an unbelievable player through the whole time we have worked together,” he said. “I speak on behalf of everyone at the club, we absolutely love him and of course everyone would love him to stay.”
The Newcastle boss also revealed he expects Guimaraes to report back for pre-season as planned.
“He’s due back on the 31st, and there’s nothing to say he won’t be back,” Howe said.
Guimaraes remains one of the Premier League’s most complete midfielders and has long been admired by Arsenal for his ability to dictate play, win possession and contribute in the final third.
Arteta has continued to reshape his midfield over recent windows, but the Brazilian’s leadership qualities and top-level experience would make him an attractive option should he ever become available.
Howe also admitted Newcastle have endured a difficult transfer window after the departures of Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon.
“We don’t want to lose our best players, so losing those two has been painful for us,” he said. “It’s been a challenging summer so far, but we are always trying to do our best for the football club both short and long term.”
For Arsenal, Howe’s comments are unlikely to end speculation, but they underline Newcastle’s determination to keep hold of their captain even as uncertainty over his future continues.