Eddie Howe unsure Bruno Guimaraes will stay at Newcastle as Arsenal interest grows

The Brazil midfielder has emerged as a key target for the Gunners, with reports indicating Arsenal are preparing a 70 million poundsbid after initially exploring the framework of a potential deal through intermediaries. It has also been reported that Guimaraes has informed Newcastle of his desire to make the move.

Despite the uncertainty, Howe insisted he has maintained regular contact with the midfielder and hopes he will return for pre-season as scheduled.

"I've had some really good conversations with him before the World Cup, during the World Cup and after the World Cup," Howe said after Newcastle's 1-1 pre-season draw with Gateshead.

"What we speak about has to remain private, but he's just a great player, a great person.

"I don't know what's going to happen with Bruno's future. That's for other people to speculate about. They are conversations that I'm not part of."

Guimaraes has been on holiday following Brazil's World Cup last-16 exit to Norway and is expected back with Newcastle at the end of the month before the squad departs for a training camp in Spain.

Howe dismissed comparisons with Alexander Isak's departure to Liverpool last summer, stressing that each transfer situation is different.

"You've got to look at it in its own right," he said. "Bruno is the captain of our football club. He's been an unbelievable player and person all through the time we have worked together.

"I speak on behalf of everyone at the football club. We absolutely love him and, of course, everyone will want him to stay. There's nothing to say Bruno won't be back training with us."

Newcastle have already endured a difficult transfer window, having seen several key players depart, including Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali, while Howe acknowledged the challenge of retaining the club's top talent.

"We don't want to lose our best players. That's an obvious statement to make," he said. "Losing those big players is painful for us and difficult.

"For me, it's been another challenging summer so far, but we're always trying to do our best for the football club, short and long term, and try and get the squad in its best shape."

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