Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has hit out at reports linking captain Bruno Guimaraes with Manchester United
Bruno Guimaraes celebrates after scoring a goal for Newcastle United
Bruno Guimaraes has been linked with a move to Manchester United(Image: Stu Forster/Getty Images)
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Newcastle United's head coach Eddie Howe has dismissed rumours that his captain is in talks with Manchester United.
The Brazilian star found himself in the spotlight following the defeat to Barcelona, with domestic and international reports suggesting that United's transfer guru Jason Wilcox has been in contact with the player's agent to discuss contract conditions.
Reuters reported that a move to United for Guimaraes was 'advanced' and that the deal would be worth around £69 million. It was also reported that Reds midfielder Casemiro, a compatriot of Guimaraes, had recommended him to the club ahead of his exit in the summer.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Howe said: "I don't think I have to respond to that. It is a waste of my energy.
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"Bruno is our captain and he is fully committed at the moment. He is injured at the moment; his only focus is coming back to fitness."
Howe expressed frustration over his captain being linked with a move to Old Trafford, especially following recent Manchester City and Arsenal rumours regarding a potential summer move for Sandro Tonali. When asked if this was a significant concern for him, Howe responded: "I am going to be impolite, for me it is a nonsense story. Is it a problem for us? I don't necessarily think it is a problem for us.
"But it is unwanted news, I suppose, is the best way to put it. You don't want the players distracted I don't know how much they will absorb that.
"For me, it is not the time to think about it. In the summer, you can understand those stories a little bit more because the transfer window is open.
Bruno Guimaraes during a Newcastle United press conference
Bruno Guimaraes has been linked with a move to Man United ahead of the summer transfer window(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
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"To say our captain is in discussions with another club is totally disrespectful to Bruno more than anything else, he is totally committed here."
For his part, Guimaraes has recently said that he would like to remain with the Magpies. "I hope to stay much longer," he said last year.
"I don't know what the future brings let's see, but I hope to play much more for Newcastle United."