Eddie Howe breaks silence on Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal transfer with Alexander Isak admission

Eddie Howe has refused to rule out that Bruno Guimaraes could leave Newcastle United during this summer transfer window. Arsenal are keen to sign the Brazil international, and Guimaraes is known to be open to the move and wants out, with the Gunners being his preferred destination. football.london understand that a £45million verbal offer was immediately dismissed after being floated. There are suggestions that a £ 70 million official offer would also be almost certainly rejected. However, it is thought that such a move would mark the beginning of formal discussions between the two clubs rather than the ongoing unofficial talks. FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page Speaking to journalists following the 1-1 stalemate against Gateshead at the International Stadium, Howe fielded a barrage of enquiries before his briefing was brought to an abrupt close after merely four minutes. The Newcastle coach confirmed he had held discussions with Bruno and lauded his character. However, he made clear that ultimate authority over the midfielder's destiny lies with chief executive David Hopkinson and sporting director Ross Wilson, rather than himself. Howe said: "I have spoken to him normally as I would do. "Bruno is a fantastic person, and we had some really good conversations before and during the World Cup and after the World Cup. What we speak about has to remain private. He is a great player and a great person." The coach then added: "Look, I don't know what is going to happen with Bruno's future, that is for other people to speculate about. But also conversations that I'm not part of." Howe cautioned against drawing parallels between the Bruno situation and Alexander Isak 's £125m departure to Liverpool last summer, noting: "I don't think it's fair to compare situations and what happened previously. I think you've got to look at it in its own right. "Bruno is the captain of our football club. He's been an unbelievable player and person all through the time that we've worked together. I speak on behalf of everyone at the football club. We absolutely love him and, of course, everyone would want him to stay." Following the painful departures of Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon to Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona, respectively, Howe was candid with reporters: "We don't want to lose our best players. That is an obvious statement to make, losing those big two is painful for us and difficult for us. "For me, it has been another challenging summer so far. We are always trying to do our best for the football club long and short-term and try to get the squad in the best place." Regarding Bruno's return, Howe confirmed: "Yes, I think the plan off the top of my head, I think it's 31st [July]. I think he's due back, so he gets an extended break because he went further in the competition, and he's enjoying a holiday at the moment with his family. There's nothing to say that Bruno won't be back training with us."