Newcastle United are now facing the threat of losing one of their top stars to Manchester United and are scrambling to agree a new deal to prevent a summer departure.
Howe: Barcelona the "biggest game in club's history"
Newcastle will be over the feeling of losing to Manchester City by now. After all, Saturday's defeat was the fourth time that they've lost to Pep Guardiola's side this season, having been defeated once in the league and over two legs in the Carabao Cup semi-final.
The Magpies simply haven't got time to feel deflated, though. They've got, in Eddie Howe's words, the "biggest game in the club's history" awaiting them against Barcelona this week.
The Newcastle boss told reporters ahead of Tuesday's clash: "We’ve never been in this position in the Champions League before and it’s the best competition there is, so for obvious reasons it’s a massive game in our history and we need to approach it that way and we need the supporters to think that way.
"We need to try to find some energy from somewhere that will elevate our performance to a level that we’ve not seen before this season because I think that’s the only way we’ll get through."
eddie-howe-newcastle Related
Howe must never start £62m Newcastle duo together again after Man City
These Newcastle stars struggled in their 3-1 FA Cup loss to Man City
Unless there is a miraculous turnaround in the Premier League, winning the Champions League is likely to be the only route back to the competition for Newcastle this season.
The odds will be stacked against them on that front, but knocking Barcelona out of the competition would be the perfect start to a shock cup run.
Not many around St James' Park will question the importance of European football, either. It could help keep hold of Sandro Tonali, amid rumours over his future, and could also play a part in keeping hold of another star man this summer.
Man Utd set sights on Guimaraes move
As reported by Caught Offside, Man United are now plotting an £80m move to sign Bruno Guimaraes. The Red Devils see the Brazilian as the perfect replacement for the departing Casemiro and are ready to allocate a large part of their budget to secure his signature this summer.
PL stats 25/26 Guimaraes Casemiro
Minutes 2,018 1,976
Goals 9 6
Tackles 50 66
Recoveries 108 112
It's hard to argue with Man United's logic, too. The numbers suggest that Guimaraes would provide those at Old Trafford with a like-for-like replacement for Casemiro.
Newcastle aren't just standing around and watching their star man leave, however. The Magpies are now scrambling to extend the Brazilian's contract to prevent a move to United this summer. That could mean a pay rise for Newcastle's highest earner, who is currently on a £160,000-a-week deal which expires in 2028.
Bruno Guimaraes
Howe doesn't need reminding just how important Guimaraes is, either. He told reporters earlier this season after the midfielder's goal against Nottingham Forest: "Bruno's goal was a moment of magic from an unbelievable player. He makes a difference more often than not."
Alas, if Man United come calling, the Newcastle boss could face quite the fight to keep hold of arguably his best player this summer.