Newcastle United transfers: Eddie Howe has responded to the report linking Bruno Guimaraes with Manchester United.
Guimaraes is currently out injured for the Magpies and has only recently returned from Brazil for the final stages of his recovery process.
Following Newcastle’s 7-2 Champions League exit to Barcelona on Wednesday night, a bombshell report from Reuters claimed Man United were in advanced talks to sign Guimaraes for £69million. The report credited its source as one ’close to the negotiations’.
Real Madrid have also been linked with the Brazilian midfielder, who held casual talks with the Spanish side back in the summer of 2022, shortly after his arrival at Newcastle.
Newcastle United hit back Bruno Guimaraes to Manchester United talks
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby clash against Sunderland, Howe was asked about the story linking his captain with a move away from the club.
“I don't even know how to respond to that, I don't even think I should because it's a waste of my energy,” Howe said. “Bruno's our captain, he's fully committed, he's injured at the moment, his only focus is coming back to fitness.”
But pressed further in an initially embargoed section of the press conference, Howe added: “No, I'm not going to be [impolite], because I don't think it's the forum to do that in, but for me it's a nonsense story.
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“Is it a problem for us [to have big players linked with exits]? I don't necessarily think it's a problem for us, but it's unwanted news, I suppose is the best way to put it,” Howe said. “You don't want your players distracted. I don't know how much they'll absorb that, but for me it's not the time to think about that.
“In the summer you can sort of understand those stories a little bit more, because the transfer window's open. But to say our captain's in discussions with another club, I think is totally disrespectful to Bruno, more than anybody else. He's totally committed here.”
Bruno Guimaraes under contract at NUFC until 2028
Guimaraes quickly became a fan favourite at Newcastle following his £40million move from Lyon in January 2022. Four years on he is regarded as a club legend amongst supporters having helped secure Champions League qualification twice as well as lifting the Carabao Cup in 2025 to end a 70-year domestic trophy drought.
Even after his recent injury, he remains Newcastle’s top Premier League scorer this season with nine goals to his name.
Guimaraes is under contract at St James’ Park until 2028 with his last extension confirmed in October 2023. The Brazilian, who is set to head to the World Cup with his national team this summer, turns 29 later this year.
He is hoping to return to action for Newcastle after the international break when they face Crystal Palace next month.
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