Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has stopped short of guaranteeing Bruno Guimaraes will stay as Arsenal prepare a reported £70m offer.
Arsenal’s hopes of landing Bruno Guimaraes have been given fresh life, with Eddie Howe stopping short of confirming the Newcastle United captain will stay at St James’ Park.
No formal bid has yet been confirmed for the Brazilian International, meaning Arsenal’s position remains at the proposal stage rather than active negotiations between the clubs.
Howe addressed the midfielder’s future after Newcastle’s 1-1 friendly draw with Gateshead. Although he made clear how highly Guimaraes is valued, the Newcastle head coach acknowledged that discussions are taking place without his involvement.
“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.”
There was no outright suggestion that Newcastle are ready to sell, but Howe’s words stopped short of the kind of firm denial Arsenal might have expected if Guimaraes was truly off-limits.
Howe made it clear he wants to keep Guimaraes, but also drew a line between his own wishes and the discussions happening behind the scenes at Newcastle.
“He’s captain of our club and been an unbelievable player, through the whole time we have worked together,” he added.
“I speak on behalf of everyone at the club, we absolutely love him and of course everyone would love him to stay.”
For now, Guimaraes is expected back at Newcastle at the end of July, once Brazil’s World Cup campaign wraps up. Howe says the club are planning for his return, but the bigger picture remains up in the air.
“He’s due back on the 31st, and there’s nothing to say he won’t be back.”
Arsenal’s interest follows another standout season from the 28-year-old. Guimaraes was named Newcastle’s Player of the Year, scoring nine Premier League goals and providing eight assists in all competitions, despite having missed 15 games through injury.
Those numbers show exactly why Howe sees him as central to Newcastle’s plans. Guimaraes can control the game from deep, drive through pressure, and push forward when needed – qualities that would give Mikel Arteta another experienced option in several roles.
Newcastle still hold the cards when it comes to his contract. Guimaraes signed a five-year deal in October 2023, keeping him at the club until 2028. There’s no rush to sell, and no pressure to accept a cut-price offer.
So a £70 million bid would test Newcastle’s resolve, but it’s far from a guarantee of success. Guimaraes is captain, a leading performer, and a player Howe has openly said is loved by everyone at the club.
Still, Howe’s uncertainty leaves Arsenal with something to work with. He didn’t rule out a move, didn’t confirm Guimaraes would stay beyond the summer, and didn’t suggest that every conversation about the player is heading in the same direction.
Now it’s up to Arsenal to decide if they want to turn their interest into a formal bid. Howe expects Guimaraes back in training on 31 July, but his words have left the door open for the Gunners to see just how strong Newcastle’s resolve really is.
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