Transfer Centre

Arsenal suffer blow in pursuit of Newcastle United duo

By Carter White | 10 May 2024

Newcastle United's Eddie Howe reveals that he is planning for next season with Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes at the club, amid interest from Arsenal for the pair.

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has insisted that the club do not want to sell Alexander Isak or Bruno Guimaraes, amid interest from Arsenal in the duo.

Sweden international Isak has kicked on during his second campaign in the Premier League, scoring 20 times in just 27 top-flight appearances for the Magpies.

The 24-year-old is only trailing Manchester City's Erling Haaland (25) and Chelsea's Cole Palmer (21) in the race for the division's Golden Boot.

Providing 12 goal contributions from the engine room, Guimaraes has also continued to be a talismanic figure for Europe-chasing Newcastle this term.

The Brazilian is also becoming an increasingly-important member of his national side, joining the likes of West Ham United's Lucas Paqueta in a first-choice midfield for Dorival Junior.

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe applauds fans after the match on April 24, 2024 © Reuters

Isak, Guimaraes sales "would knock us back"

Looking ahead to next season, Newcastle coach Howe discussed the futures of both Isak and Guimaraes, with his comments not favourable for those of an Arsenal persuasion.

"I'm planning for them (Isak and Guimaraes) to be here. All my planning is with them in the squad," said Magpies boss Howe ahead of his side's match against Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday.

"We don't want to sell our best players. That is hugely important for us, it will knock us back some considerable distance because we would have to start again.

"There is no weakness in the club to say we are going to sell anyone. There is no desire from anyone at the football club to sell our best players."

It is understood that Mikel Arteta's men have made the capture of Isak from Newcastle a top priority this summer, with the Swede valued at £120m.

Newcastle United's Bruno Guimaraes acknowledges fans after the match on March 2, 2024 © Reuters

Arsenal face competition in Guimaraes race?

With Newcastle treading carefully to stay the right side of the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability rules (PSR), Guimaraes's release clause in the North-East is interesting potential suitors.

For a limited time - believed to be until the end of June - the midfielder would be able to leave St James' Park for a transfer fee of £100m.

With Arsenal also carefully watching their spending to avoid a breach of PSR, it is currently unknown whether the Gunners could afford to fork out that amount on Guimaraes.

It has been suggested that the North Londoners could sell three of their academy graduates this summer to raise funds: Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson.