Former player and TV Pundit Alan Shearer interacts with Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United, prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Newcastle United FC and FC Barcelona at St James' Park on March 10, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)placeholder image
Former player and TV Pundit Alan Shearer interacts with Eddie Howe, Manager of Newcastle United, prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Newcastle United FC and FC Barcelona at St James' Park on March 10, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Newcastle United are having to face a relentless amount of transfer speculation surrounding their key players.
The Magpies are becoming increasingly irritated by reports linking their star men with a move elsewhere. Sandro Tonali’s agent has been very vocal in recent weeks, while the likes of Tino Livramento and Anthony Gordon are attracting interest.
And just a few days ago, Reuters, a highly respected worldwide publication, claimed Manchester United were in advanced talks over a £69million swoop for captain Bruno Guimaraes.
Newcastle United furiously respond to ‘nonsense’ Bruno Guimaraes to Manchester United story
The story prompted a strong response from Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, who labelled it as “nonsense” and disrespectful.
Howe said: “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. Bruno's our captain, he's fully committed, he's injured at the moment, his only focus is coming back to fitness.
“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.”
Asked if his players being regularly linked with an exit was a problem, Howe said: “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.
“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.”
Alan Shearer responds to Bruno Guimaraes to Manchester United story
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer also dismissed the story as “rubbish” but warned that failure to secure European qualification will only increase speculation and make it harder for the club to keeps its best players.
“Newcastle have to get through the season,” Shearer told Betfair. “They have to somehow get European football, whether that's Europa League or whether that's the Conference League. They have to somehow get European football.
“I guess it's been happening for the last two months. I've seen the reports myself now on Bruno Guimaraes. I also know that a lot of the reports are rubbish.
“If Newcastle don't qualify for European football, then the noise around their top players will only get louder and then it becomes difficult not only to keep your top players, but also then it becomes difficult to bring top players in because top players want European football.
“So that's going to happen more and more between now and the end of the season. If there's any truth in it, I haven't got a clue, but that will happen if Newcastle don't get European football.
“That's the same for most clubs but obviously with Newcastle, that's what happens when you have a little taste of success. If that doesn't continue, then that's when the transfer talk will happen.”
Newcastle sit ninth in the Premier League table, seven points below fifth and three behind seventh with eight matches left to play this campaign.
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