Howe concedes Guimaraes could leave Newcastle
Eddie Howe remains uncertain whether Newcastle United will be able to keep hold of Bruno Guimaraes amid interest from Premier League champion Arsenal.
Guimaraes has reportedly told Newcastle that he intends to leave the club during the current transfer window, with Arsenal preparing a bid of around £80 million ($152.6 million) to secure his services.
The 28-year-old joined the Magpies in 2022 from Lyon and has gone on to make 195 appearances across all competitions, scoring 31 goals and providing 31 assists.
He also captained Newcastle to its first domestic trophy in 70 years in the Carabao Cup final last March, with Alexander Isak and Dan Burn on target in a 2-1 win over Liverpool at Wembley.
It has already been a busy transfer window on Tyneside, with Anthony Gordon joining Barcelona and Sandro Tonali completing a £100 million ($190.8 million) move to Tottenham Hotspur, while Bazoumana Toure, Sean Steur, Ewen Jaouen and Aladji Bamba have all arrived at the club.
But all the talk is surrounding Guimaraes, with Howe conceding that he was unsure whether the Brazil international would be a Newcastle player for the 2026-2027 campaign.
"I've spoken to Bruno before, during and after the [2026 FIFA] World Cup," Howe said. "We have had some really good conversations. He's just a fantastic person.
"I don't know what's going to happen with his future, that's for other people to speculate about. There are conversations I'm not part of."
Howe did, however, warn against comparing the transfer saga surrounding Guimaraes to Alexander Isak, who joined Liverpool ahead of the 2025-2026 season.
"I don't think it's fair to compare him [to Isak last summer]. You've got to look at it in its own right," Howe added.
"He's captain of our club and has been an unbelievable player throughout the whole time we have worked together.
"I speak on behalf of everyone at the club. We absolutely love him and, of course, everyone would love him to stay.
"He's due back on the 31st, and there's nothing to say he won't be back."
Arsenal is yet to make direct contact with Newcastle, instead exploring the conditions of a potential deal through intermediaries, an approach that has frustrated the Magpies.
The Gunners' interest in Guimaraes has long been documented, but reports emerging recently revealed it is exploring a huge move for Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior.
Vinicius is entering the final year of his contract at Madrid, with Arsenal also reportedly interested in Julian Alvarez, Bradley Barcola and Yan Diomande, the latter the subject of a €100 million ($162.9 million) bid from Los Blancos, which has been rejected by RB Leipzig.
Arsenal is looking to strengthen its options on the left side of its attack, having sold Leandro Trossard to Besiktas, while also opening the door for a potential exit for Gabriel Martinelli, who scored one Premier League goal last season.
Christo Tzolis completed his move from Club Brugge earlier this week, but Vinicius remains a target for Arsenal, although no club-to-club contact has been made for the Brazilian winger.
