Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has stated that star players Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimarães are not for sale this summer.
This comes amid intense transfer speculation linking the duo with moves to Arsenal and Manchester City.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has quashed rumours linking key players Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimarães with moves away from the club this summer. Despite speculation about the necessity to sell players due to Financial Fair Play rules, Howe insists that the duo will remain at St James’ Park.
“I’m planning for them to be here,” Howe said when asked about the pair’s future. “All my planning is with them in the squad.”
Howe emphasised the club’s ambition to build a successful team, stressing the importance of retaining their best players. He acknowledged the challenges posed by Financial Fair Play regulations but reiterated that there is no desire from anyone at the club to sell their star performers.
“I don’t know why that is so relevant or in the news as much as it is,” Howe added. “We’re looking to build a squad and a really successful team and to do that, we don’t want to sell our best players. That is hugely important for us, it will knock us back some considerable distance because we would have to start again.
“There is no weakness in the club to say we are going to sell anyone but, of course, Financial Fair Play is there and we’ll have to comply like everyone else.”
Howe also dismissed rumours surrounding Isak, highlighting the striker’s dedication in training. He stated that Isak isn’t distracted by the speculation and is focused on the task at hand.
“That’s why I’ve said this summer is going to be a very difficult thing to predict, but there is no desire from anyone at the football club to sell our best players,” Howe explained. “Judging by Alex’s performances and training, and just how he is day to day, I don’t see him thinking about those things or dealing with those rumours. It’s business as usual. I talk to them all the time about different things and of course their future might come within those discussions, but not necessarily about the media stories.”