Newcastle United remain on red alert regarding Bruno Guimaraes, with Arsenal still keen on signing the Toon club captain, Notebook can reveal. As reported by Chronicle Live on Thursday, the Magpies do not want to part with their skipper in this window and their preference is for Bruno to stay at St James' Park.
Bruno's Concerns Over Sporting Project
It is believed that Bruno is concerned about the sporting project at Newcastle after United failed to qualify for Europe and stars like Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon were sold. The Gunners have not placed an official bid, and there is no release clause to trigger, but a fee of around £65m has been deemed a price that could tip the balance on the Brazil international. Sources at Arsenal have suggested that a concrete bid could follow later in the window, with Newcastle chiefs aware that an Alexander Isak situation is still a danger.
Newcastle's Stance on Key Players
It is believed that Tottenham Hotspur were told that there would be no deal for Tonali unless they coughed up the full asking price and that Newcastle would have been happy to leave the room on talks if they did not get the magic figure they were looking for. Back in March CEO David Hopkinson had said: “I wasn’t here for the Isak situation, so I don’t want to comment on something I didn’t see first-hand. What I do know is that players that leave this club will need to do so on our terms.”
Arsenal Encouragement Remains
So for now it's all ifs and buts on Bruno as he stays in a World Cup bubble for at least a few more days but the suggestion of Arsenal making a swoop for Bruno has not been shut down at the Emirates Stadium. Indeed, Notebook has been told there remains encouragement in north London.
Leo Shahar Set for Pre-Season Chance
Newcastle featured former Wolves youngster Leo Shahar in the promo pictures for their latest Adidas training drop. After making his senior debut against Qarabag in the Champions League last season, Shahar is in an excellent position this summer to impress Eddie Howe. With Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth now departed, he could be a starter in the first couple of pre-season friendlies against Darlington and Gateshead. Tino Livramento's surgery on his World Cup injury will also hold back the ex-Chelsea star, leaving Shahar in the box seat for minutes.
All Change at the STACK
Newcastle will soon unveil a new partner sponsor at the STACK after the departure of Sela this summer. Sela said an emotional goodbye to Newcastle after three years on Tyneside after being shirt sponsors during a golden era in the club's history, including the Carabao Cup win in 2025 over Liverpool. As things stand Sela's branding remains on the club's official fanzone at the STACK but now the venue will be 'presented' by a new name from pre-season onwards. VisitMalta stepped in to take over from Sela for the club's annual pre-season curtain raiser at St James' Park and now it remains to be seen who takes over the sponsorship on Strawberry Place. Newcastle already have KNOX Hydrate as their shirt sponsor and training ground sponsor and there could be further involvement around the club.
