Newcastle United send message to Real Madrid amid Bruno Guimaraes transfer claim

Eddie Howe is hopeful that Bruno Guimaraes will stay at Newcastle United - even if Spanish giants Real Madrid come calling.

The Brazilian has been the talk of Tyneside this week after his two goals and all-round world-class display during last Saturday’s 5-1 win over Brentford.

When speaking to the media after the game, Guimaraes revealed he had spoken to the 14-time European champions in the summer but insisted “it is nothing”.

Indeed, for most players, the pull of Madrid is too hard to resist but what happening on Tyneside is unique.

The Magpies, of course, have ambitions to become the world’s best, and Howe has revealed what must be done to keep Guimaraes.

Howe on Bruno’s future

“We desperately want Bruno to first be happy here, to enjoy his football and see a long-term vision here,” Howe,

“Time will tell on that. We have to get the team in a good place and build positively.

“As long as the player sees progression in the team and sees ambition in the club, hopefully we can fulfill the needs of everybody here because we want to build a team.

“We’re in the very early stages, so we don’t want to disrupt the group we have, we want to add quality the other way. That’s the aim.”

Newcastle signed the 24-year-old from Lyon in January for a fee worth £35million plus add-ons, a deal Howe admitted is a bargain.

Since then, Guimaraes has made j17 starts and chipped in with seven goals, even though he wasn’t necessarily signed to provide a goal threat.

But it isn’t just his stellar performance on the pitch that makes Guimaraes so special according to Howe.

A special player on - and off - the pitch

He added: “The thing that has pleasantly surprised me is you never quite know your relationship with a player when they sign, or how that will gell between me and him and the squad - it’s a lot of guesswork, but that has been the most pleasant surprise for me.

“He’s fitted in so well and epitomised really the team spirit and the drive we need to be successful. I think supporters have seen that and taken to him from day one.

“Off the pitch, absolutely brilliant but on the pitch, he speaks for itself. I don’t have to comment too much on his performances.”

Guimaraes is already being talked up by some as one of Newcastle’s greatest-ever midfielders in terms of ability, rather than longevity.

Howe added: “Obviously I’m aware of the Newcastle legends of the past and I embrace that. I want my players to aspire to be the next one. If that is part of his motivation then I’m all for it.

“For me, he has the ability, character and personality to be that player that people talk about in years to come. But he’s at the start of it, hopefully he’ll get there.”