Eddie Howe sends message to Bruno Guimaraes as Arsenal prepare £70m bid for Newcastle star

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe (Picture: PA)

Eddie Howe has implored Bruno Guimaraes to stay at Newcastle as Arsenal ready an improved £70million bid for the midfielder.

The Brazil international has reportedly already agreed personal terms to join Arsenal and has told Newcastle that he wants to join Mikel Arteta ’s side this summer.

The Gunners saw an opening bid of £55million, which was communicated through intermediaries, turned down by Newcastle last month , who have no desire to sell their club captain.

But the reigning Premier League champions are set to test Newcastle’s resolve once again in the coming days, with reports suggesting an improved £70m bid will be tabled for Guimaraes .

Guimaraes registered four assists for Brazil at the World Cup this summer and is expected to report back for Newcastle’s pre-season training next week ahead of their boot camp in La Manga.

But Howe said he has already had ‘really good conversations’ with the midfielder as he looks to convince him to stay at St James’ Park despite interest from Arsenal.

‘I have spoken to him normally as I would do,’ Howe said following his side’s 1-1 pre-season draw with Gateshead.

Bruno Guimaraes is wanted by Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

‘Bruno is a fantastic person and we had some really good conversations before and during the World Cup and after the World Cup.

‘What we speak about has to remain private, but he is a great player and a great person.

‘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.’

Howe has held talks with Brazilian midfielder (Picture: Reuters)

Imploring Guimaraes to stay at the club, Howe added: ‘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.’

Newcastle have already sold Sandro Tonali to Tottenham in a deal that could rise to £100m, while Anthony Gordon sealed his £69.3m move to Barcelona before the start of the World Cup.

The Magpies have confirmed a £34m deal for Monaco midfielder Aladji Bamba, but Howe admitted it had still been another difficult start to the transfer window for his side.

‘We don’t want to lose our best players,’ he said. ‘That is an obvious statement to make, losing those big two is painful for us and difficult for us.

‘For me it has been another challenging summer so far. We are always trying to do our best for the football club long and short-term and try to get the squad in the best place.’