Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak on the move? Newcastle set for 'difficult summer' as Eddie Howe hints at key sales

Howe finds himself at a crossroads with key players Guimaraes and Isak potentially on the chopping block. With Isak's impressive goal-scoring form attracting interest from top clubs like Arsenal and Tottenham, Guimaraes' commanding performances drawing admiration from Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, Howe faces tough decisions amid a challenging financial landscape with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Regulations (PSR) on the backdrop.

Despite the challenges, Howe remains resolute in his desire to retain Guimaraes, emphasising the midfielder's invaluable contributions to the team. However, with the Brazilian's contract featuring a £100m release clause, Howe acknowledges the uncertainty surrounding the Brazilian's future at St. James' Park.

Addressing the potential departure of Guimaraes, Howe said: "Let me tell you players like Bruno, they are not around every corner. They are very rare. Bruno should be appreciated for everything he brings. My intention would be to keep Bruno at the club for as long as we possibly can. I can never make guarantees though. That would be absolutely foolish of me. We have been in football long enough to know you don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow. He is an integral part of the team and playing very well... I want Alex to keep scoring goals, I want him to keep being in the headlines — I’m sure he wants the same thing — but we want to keep him long term."

Howe acknowledged the uncertainties surrounding the summer transfer window and admitted that the club might not be on the same page as him as far as incoming transfers are concerned.

"It’s going to be a difficult summer," he stated. "Not to say what positions we want to improve because I would have my idea where I want to take the team, but there are a lot of unknown factors going into the summer so it’s going to be quite difficult to prepare for what’s going to happen."

Whereas, while addressing the potential departure of Isak, who joined Newcastle for a club-record fee of £63m in 2022, Howe expressed: "I don’t fear that. It is what you want because they are at a level everyone appreciates. Fear is not the right word. I want Alexander Isak to score and be in the headlines and to keep him long-term.

“A lot is going to happen this summer. January was quiet. What does that do to the summer? It is unknown. We will be in a bracket where I want to improve the squad and come back stronger. It will be an interesting summer.”

Newcastle's hopes for a second consecutive season of Champions League football have dwindled due to a series of long-term injuries plaguing the squad. Despite the setbacks, Howe would like to finish the season strongly, starting with a win against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday.