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Eddie Howe has revealed that the £100million release clause in the contract of Bruno Guimaraes expires at the end of June, and he believes that is a smart move to avoid a summer of speculation.
The Brazilian is admired by Manchester City, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, and the club expect enquiries for him following the season’s end.
Howe is adamant he wants to keep Guimaraes at St James’ Park and feels a hard headline for his release clause to be activated is beneficial.
‘Having that was well planned and structured by the club, in a sense that there is a finish point,’ he said. ‘We don’t want the constant speculation, I don’t think that’s healthy for the player or for us.’
The midfielder, 26, arrived on Tyneside in a £40m deal from Lyon in January, 2022. His worth has at least doubled in the period since, and Howe added: ‘It goes without saying that my thoughts are we want to keep Bruno and build our team around him.
Bruno Guimaraes’ £100million release clause expires in June and Newcastle hope to keep him
Eddie Howe confirmed he is an ‘integral part’ of Newcastle’s vision, despite speculation that he would leave
‘He is an integral part of what we’re doing. His form has been very good. He seems very happy and settled. He will be thinking about a busy summer ahead and, hopefully, where we can take the team with him a big part of that. But I’m not in control of that, so let’s see.’
Meanwhile, Howe says he has not yet been consulted on the identity of the next sporting director, as the recruitment process enters its final stages. Mail Sport revealed on Thursday that Crystal Palace chief Dougie Freedman is in the running.
Howe said: ‘If the club wanted to seek my opinion, I’d be more than happy to do that. That hasn’t happened to this point and I respect and understand that.
‘But…