It’s Saturday morning and time for the weekend edition of Newcastle Notebook, as transfer speculation heats up.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is said to have convinced Bruno Guimaraes that he is just as ambitious as he is, and that St James’ Park is the perfect place for him next season.
Bruno is not seeking a move, but with agents pursuing the player and creating interest, as well as details of his one-month clause disclosed this week by well-placed sources, conjecture about his future and a potential £100 million move, speculation continues to grow. Howe has told Bruno that he wants him to stay “as long as possible,” but he, too, has ambitious plans to build a team around the Brazil international, and he hopes that handing Joelinton a new long-term contract is another sign that the ex-Lyon star is very much the main man on the training ground these days.
Given that Bruno’s contract begins and expires in June, it would also be a difficult deal to negotiate, since the 26-year-old is on duty with Brazil at the Copa America in the United States at the time. Brazil’s manager, Dorival Junior, is set to limit transfer talk in the Seleção camp to prioritize the tournament.
Howe also promised fans that he can still bring in players without having to sell a big name like Guimaraes, saying: “I believe so. I’m not sure what will happen with this big-name sale, but I know we can fight, survive, and form a new team.
“Selling is not something I want to do. I want to make small modifications, yet enough to propel us forward. I can’t foretell what will happen; we modify as things unfold.
Howe also stated: “It goes without saying that we want to maintain Bruno and form a team around him. He appears to be comfortable and settled; he will be thinking about a busy summer, and maybe we will be able to take him with the team, as he is an important member of it.”
Lewis Hall’s shock appearance at Blyth Spartans
Despite losing 5-1 and being demoted against Brackley Town last weekend, several young Blyth fans had a little consolation prize by seeing one of their first-team heroes at Croft Park. Lewis Hall raised eyebrows when he arrived at the Northumberland club’s pitch to see their final game of the season.
Hall’s appearance drew a line of fans eager for autographs and photographs as he watched his older brother Connor Hall play for Brackley. The 26-year-old is presently on loan from Solihull Moors and contributed significantly to Brackley’s triumph.
Striker to say farewell at the end of the season
Dylan Stephenson of Blyth scored in Friday night’s 2-1 reserve team triumph over Stoke City as he attempts to put himself in the shop window for next season.
Stephenson, 21, can play as a centre forward or out wide and has an impressive 41 goals in nearly 100 outings for Newcastle’s minors and reserves. He also scored eight goals while on loan at South Shields in the Vanarama League North this season.
With the summer transfer window set to open soon, Hartlepool and Gateshead have already expressed interest in the Geordie youngster. His most notable goal to date came in Eddie Howe’s first-team’s 5-0 win over Al Hilal in the Diriyah Cup final in December 2022.
Stephenson’s contract expires at the end of next month, and he has been told he will not be offered a new deal. However, United’s Academy staff are assisting him in securing his next move.
