Newcastle United handed huge boost as key man eyes long-term stay

Bruno Guimaraes has said that he is planning a long-term stay at Newcastle United after reaching 100 appearances for the Magpies on Saturday afternoon.

The Brazil international capped his 100th outing for the club with a goal, as Eddie Howe's side recorded a 1-0 victory over Fulham in the Premier League contest at Craven Cottage.

There remains ongoing speculation surrounding the midfielder's future, with Manchester City, Manchester United and Barcelona three of the clubs said to be keeping a close eye on his situation at St James' Park.

Newcastle head coach Howe admitted that he could not make any "guarantees" over the future of Guimaraes when questioned on the 26-year-old's future.

Due to the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules, the Magpies will be forced into some difficult decisions this summer, with Guimaraes thought to be one of those who could be sold, but the South American has expressed a desire to remain with the club on a long-term basis.

© Reuters

Guimaraes wants to stay at Newcastle amid exit talk

"I hope to stay much longer. I don't know what the future brings let's see, but I hope to play much more for Newcastle United," he told Premier League Productions after the win over Fulham.

"What a day, what a day for me! The first 20 minutes was not good enough from us, but after that and then in the second half it was an unbelievable performance from everyone.

"100 games for the club, wow! What a journey I have been living here. I am very happy, glad. Everyone deserved to win the game today. The feeling against Everton, to lose the win in the last minutes hurt a lot.

"So to get here today, 100 games, score, what a day! We did not start well, so slow with and without the ball. We gave them so much time in between the lines and on the ball.

"We were not Newcastle United. At half time the gaffer said a few things to change and in the second half we were Newcastle United.

© Reuters

Howe hopeful Newcastle will be able to keep the Brazilian

"It was a moment when the fans were singing a lot, a very good moment to score. I was looking forward to getting this goal for a long time. It was a good moment to score and win the game, and I think we could have scored a second. But also to not concede today was the most important."

Meanwhile, Howe added after the clash: "He has got a contract, a long contract, signed a new deal this season. When a player does that he commits himself to you for a number of years.

"Of course in the modern game things can change, but he looks happy. I see a player happy in the group, on the training pitch, off the pitch as well. So I would hope we can do enough to keep him here.

"Firstly he is very defensively intelligent, very aggressive and physical. His main quality though of course is with the ball, his technical ability which we didn't see early in the game because we didn't have the ball. Second half we saw plenty of that and I thought he was instrumental in us coming here and getting the win."

Guimaraes, who has a contract with Newcastle until June 2028, arrived at the club from Lyon in January 2022, with the Magpies thought to have beaten a number of teams to his signature.