Eddie Howe has dismissed rumors that Bruno Guimaraes was saying farewell to Newcastle United fans after their victory over Brentford, despite growing interest from Arsenal and Manchester City.
Newcastle concluded their Premier League season with a 4-2 win in west London, where Guimaraes delivered a standout performance by assisting two goals and scoring one himself. His emotional gestures towards the traveling fans post-match fueled speculation about a potential summer exit.
The Brazilian midfielder, who has a £100 million release clause that can be activated next month, is reportedly being courted by both the reigning champions, Manchester City, and the runners-up, Arsenal. However, Howe urged fans not to overinterpret Guimaraes’ post-match behavior and expressed his hope that the midfielder will remain at Newcastle next season.
Addressing the speculation, Howe stated, “I don’t think it’s a wave goodbye. Bruno probably does that many times, but it can be interpreted in various ways by those watching. From my perspective, I certainly hope it’s not a farewell. He is integral to what we’re building and is an inspirational player; we’re desperate to keep him.”
Guimaraes, whose contributions this season have been vital, has also been looking forward to the next campaign. On Instagram, he celebrated the season’s end, writing, “Finished the season with a memorable match! Three points, two assists, and one goal. Thank you for the support today, and we hope it’s enough for us to be in Europe next season! Howay the lads.”
Striker Alexander Isak, another key player, has also been linked with potential moves. Howe commented on both players, saying, “They’re two outstanding players. Their performances have been crucial numerous times. The team provides the platform for them to excel, and their involvement in the goals today was top class, but their teammates’ support is equally important.”
In a lighthearted dig at his critics, Guimaraes also responded to talkSPORT pundits Danny Murphy and Simon Jordan, who had doubted his athleticism. Following his impressive display at Brentford, he posted a Sky Sports graphic showing he had covered the most distance of any Premier League player this season, captioned humorously with “he isn’t athletic” alongside a thumbs-up and laughing emoji.