Bruno Guimaraes "very happy" at Newcastle United amid exit talk

Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes has insisted that he is "very happy" at the club amid the ongoing speculation surrounding his future.

The Brazil international has been in impressive form for the Magpies since his arrival from Lyon in January 2022, scoring 13 goals and registering 12 assists in 91 appearances in all competitions.

Guimaraes came up with a brace during Newcastle's 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday to help Eddie Howe's side secure a vital three points.

The 26-year-old has now managed three goals and six assists in 34 appearances for Newcastle this term, and he has a contract at St James' Park until June 2028.

There remains ongoing speculation surrounding a potential departure, though, with Barcelona and Real Madrid both said to be admirers.

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Guimaraes has said that he is "very happy" at Newcastle but reiterated the importance of the club securing European football for next season.

"Sometimes the people speak a lot about me, I just think about football," Guimaraes told Sky Sports News after his two-goal showing against Forest at the City Ground.

"I'm happy here, in this club doing my best. I love the way the fans like me so I focus on my football and let the people speak.

"Sometimes (people speak about me leaving Newcastle). I'm very happy here, enjoy it a lot. I never felt so much love for the fans like here.

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"They've been unbelievable for me and my family so I try to play for fans. So I hope I can keep going here for as long as possible.

"We have to get Europe again, at least Europa League. We have all the possibilities to get there, we have been playing better away than home. It was the opposite last season so it's good to get another three points away."

Newcastle finished fourth in the Premier League last season to qualify for the 2023-24 Champions League, but they finished bottom of a section which involved Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain and AC Milan.

Howe's side have found it difficult to show consistency this season, and they are currently seventh in the Premier League table, 11 points behind fourth-placed Tottenham Hotspur and 10 from Aston Villa in fifth.