Bruno Guimaraes is due back at Newcastle United on Friday, and Harvey Barnes says the dressing room is excited to have him back.
"He is back in on Friday, so it will be good to see him," Barnes told Chronicle Live.
Premier League champions Arsenal are keen to sign the Brazil international, with the 28-year-old believed to have communicated his desire to make the move. But Guimaraes is also said to respect Newcastle's stance that he is not for sale at the £70million-£75million fee bandied about in reports from the Arsenal end.
Eddie Howe departure fuels uncertainty
The acid test will be what happens when Guimaraes returns to the Magpies fold before the club jet off to their pre-season training camp in La Manga.
Eddie Howe was unsure over whether Guimaraes would meet the players in Newcastle or in Spain when asked on Wednesday, and his departure as head coach has only added further fuel to any transfer fears.
But Barnes insists the dressing room still believe their captain has an important role to play on Tyneside this season.
Barnes: captain has a big role
"He's the captain of the football club, so it'll be exciting to have him back. You want to keep your best players, of course you do. He's a big part of what we've got going on here," Barnes said.
"I can't really say any more on that. It's just good to see him on Friday and I'm excited. He's the captain of the club, so he has a big role to play here."
Barnes added: "As a player, you see the impact he has on the pitch and in the changing room as well. He's a big character. He has that special connection with the fans and he's produced big moments throughout the time he's been at Newcastle, which makes him a very key player for us.
"Nothing but positive things to say about Bruno. He's a great guy, a great player and someone we want to have around the club."
Barnes not privy to transfer conversations
When pressed over whether Guimaraes' "special connection" with Newcastle's fans would be enough to convince him to stay this season, Barnes said he was not privy to those conversations.
"I don't know the conversations," Barnes added. "I'm completely out of the picture. I probably know as much as you guys.
"From a player and someone in the changing room, like I said, he's back in on Friday and I'm just excited to see him get back in. We've nearly got the full squad, so I don't really know what to say on that. I'm just excited to see him and give him a big hug when he is back."
