Eddie Howe says it is a “waste of energy” to discuss transfer rumors surrounding Newcastle captain Bruno Guimarães.
Guimarães has been in the headlines this week with reports suggesting Manchester United and Real Madrid are keen to sign the midfielder.
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According to Reuters, Manchester United has held exploratory talks with player representatives on a potential deal worth 69 million pounds.
The 28-year-old was a key part of Newcastle’s rise under Howe and guided the club to a major trophy-breaking drought last season, helping the Magpies win the Carabao Cup.
Several teams are rumored to be interested in Guimaraes as Newcastle face the possibility of missing out on Champions League qualification. The Magpies currently sit ninth in the Premier League table. He is one of a number of Newcastle players linked with a summer move, along with Tino Liveramento and Sandro Tonali.
Ahead of this weekend’s Tyne and Wear derby against Sunderland, Howe said Guimarães was “fully committed” to the club and dismissed reports he wanted to leave.
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“I don’t know how to respond, it’s a waste of energy,” he said at his pre-match press conference.
“It’s unwelcome news. You don’t want your players to be distracted. I don’t know how much they’re going to absorb. He’s totally committed here.”
Howe confirmed that Guimarães will miss this weekend’s clash with Sunderland, while Sandro Tonali is also a doubt. Lewis Miley and Fabian Schaal have also been left out as Newcastle United aim for a first league win over Sunderland since 2011.
“We’ll see what happens [on Tonali’s fitness],” he said.
“Hopefully it’s not as bad as I feared when I first saw him limping off the field. We’ll see where he goes today and make a decision closer to the game.”
“We expect him to [Lewis Miley] He is expected to return after the international break. Praying the same thing for Bruno [Guimaraes] and Fabian [Schar]”.
