Bruno Guimarães is heading into Newcastle’s pre-season with Arsenal still circling. The expected £70million bid is not close to what Newcastle want, and Eddie Howe has made it clear the midfielder’s future is not something he is ready to call himself.

Newcastle want more than Arsenal are likely to offer

Howe said he has had “really good conversations” with Guimaraes, but the strongest line from him was the simplest one. “I don't know what's going to happen with his future, that's for other people to speculate about. There's conversations I'm not part of.”

He also backed his captain in sharper terms. “He's captain of our club and been an unbelievable player, through 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.”

That is the market Arsenal are walking into. They are expected to prepare a £70million bid, Newcastle are expected to want more than £80m, and the club are braced for Guimaraes to report for training next week before travelling to La Manga for the pre-season camp in Spain.

The case for Arsenal is obvious enough

If Arsenal do go in, they are not chasing a pure luxury signing. Jamie Carragher described Guimaraes as a complete midfielder, pointing to his work both without the ball and going forward. He said Guimaraes had an 86 per cent pass success rate under pressure, the fourth-highest in the Premier League.

That is a decent answer to the obvious question around a player Newcastle are clearly reluctant to lose. Arsenal finished first in the Premier League, and a player who can handle pressure, carry the ball and help in possession fits that level of move far better than a speculative bid for the sake of it.

Newcastle finished 12th last season, so the club’s desire to avoid another major summer departure is easy to understand. Howe has already spoken like a manager trying to steady the picture, not one preparing fans for a sale.

The only firm line for now is that Guimaraes is due back at Newcastle next week. Arsenal’s interest is real, Newcastle’s valuation is higher, and the midfielder is still expected to be in black and white when pre-season resumes.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 5 outlets. How we work →