Head coach Eddie Howe has reiterated that he hopes that Bruno Guimaraes will want to remain at Newcastle United in the long term.

On the back of their takeover last year, the Magpies pulled off one of the coups of the January transfer window by winning the race to sign Guimaraes, who at the time was at Lyon.

Since his arrival, the Brazil international has contributed seven goals and two assists, as well as being increasingly influential in the middle of the pitch.

However, the impact of the 24-year-old has inevitably led to interest from elsewhere with Real Madrid known to be admirers of his ability.

Guimaraes recently acknowledged that his representatives had 'held a conversation' with Los Blancos, confirming the interest from the European champions.

Nevertheless, on Newcastle's ambitions, Guimaraes said: "I never doubted the project, I believe in it. I always wanted to play in the Premier League and I am now just enjoying that. The ground love me and I love them. I want to keep going.

"I want to be a legend here. Real Madrid is the best team in the world. It is nice, but it is just a conversation, it is nothing."

Ahead of Sunday's Premier League fixture at Manchester United, Howe was quizzed on Guimaraes's future, admitting that he hopes his key man backs up his comments about wanting to become historically remembered by the club's fanbase.

Speaking to reporters, Howe said: "We desperately want him to be happy here and see a long-term vision here, but time will tell on that. We have to build positively. As long as a player sees an ambition in the club, hopefully we can fulfil the needs of everyone here. We are in the early stages of that so we don't want to disturb that.

"He has done unbelievably well, the thing that has pleasantly surprised me is the relationship between me and him, and the squad. He has fitted in so well. He has epitomised the team spirit and the drive we need to be successful and the fans have seen that and really taken to him.

"I am new here so I am aware of he Newcastle legends of the past and I want my players to aspire to be the next one and if that is part of his motivation then I am all for it. He has the ability to be one of those players, but he has a long way to get there."

Manchester City are also being linked with a future move for Guimaraes, while interest will come from elsewhere if he continues on his current trajectory.

However, Newcastle will be in no rush to sell Guimaraes who still has over three-and-a-half years remaining on his contract.