Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe is confident that Bruno Guimaraes will still be with the club beyond the end of this summer's transfer window.

The Brazil international has been in excellent form for the Magpies since arriving from Lyon in January 2022, featuring on 57 occasions for the club, scoring 10 goals and registering six assists in the process.

Guimaraes has another three years left to run on his contract at St James' Park, but there is currently a host of speculation surrounding his future.

Real Madrid are believed to be long-term admirers of the South American, and there have been suggestions that a bid could be lodged in the latter stages of the transfer market.

However, Howe, who led Newcastle to a fourth-place finish in the Premier League last season, has no concerns surrounding the 25-year-old's future at the club.

"I don't think Bruno wants to leave. I feel protected enough - but the most important person in all of this is Bruno. I think Bruno sees this season as a huge opportunity for him to play on the best stage that you can. And to try to help Newcastle grow," Howe told Chronicle Live.

"I think that is the most important thing, not necessarily if a club comes in. It's where the player feels his home is. I think he feels his home is Newcastle.

"You can never tell what is going to happen in football. I can't sit here and say clubs won't be interested in Bruno because for me he is an outstanding player. But I see a player that is very committed to this football club."

Newcastle have boosted their squad this summer with the arrivals of Sandro Tonali and Harvey Barnes, but Howe is still hopeful of adding two more players to the squad.

"Ideally I would love to bring in two players. But let's wait and see, there is no guarantee on that," said the Newcastle head coach ahead of this weekend's friendlies with Fiorentina and Villarreal.

"It's going to be great to be back home. It's been a long time since we played at St. James' Park, that's what it feels, so it's great to be back and looking forward to the two games.

"We're expecting tough opposition. Fiorentina got to the final of the Europa Conference League and were well placed in Serie A and that's what we want in both games. We want tough examinations."

Newcastle's preparations for the 2023-24 campaign will conclude this weekend, with the Magpies then turning their attention to their Premier League opener at home to Aston Villa on August 12. body check tags ::