Bruno Guimaraes has offered Newcastle United fans hope that he will return to training on Friday by posting social media pictures wearing a Toon bucket hat while on a fishing trip in South America.
Transfer Update
As things stand, Newcastle have still not received an official bid for his services from Arsenal, but sources in the capital have made it clear they are not prepared to bid £80m for the midfielder's services. Whether the Gunners end up budging remains to be seen, but Howe is simply keen to get Bruno 'back in the building' as a long and intense training camp lies in place next week.
Bruno had said back on May 28: "A very frustrating season, and without a doubt we are all very disappointed. You fans definitely did not deserve this. But football doesn’t always go the way we plan. Individually, I managed to have the season with the most goal contributions in my career, and I would trade all of that for a better position in the table. Honestly, I just want to thank the fans for everything. Thank you."
What Eddie Howe Said
On Saturday, after the 1-1 draw with Gateshead, Howe faced a series of questions on his captain and whether he would be back to train. 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."
Howe then said: "Look I don't know what is going to happen with Bruno's future, that is for other people to speculate about. But [they are] also conversations that I'm not part of."
Eddie Howe indicated at the weekend that he had held what sounded like healthy dialogue with his captain and that the plan was to return on July 31. Bruno's future now lies in the hands of sporting director Ross Wilson and CEO David Hopkinson, who are trying to make sure he has the smoothest path back to the club's KNOX training ground and then on to La Manga.
