Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has confirmed that Bruno Guimaraes’ £100 million release clause will expire in the final days of June.

The Brazil international has been one of Newcastle’s standout performers since his£40 million move from Lyon in January 2022.

Ahead of the summer transfer window, Guimaraes has attracted strong interest from both Arsenal and Manchester City.

But Howe has confirmed that clubs will only have a short window to activate the 26-year-old’s release clause, which was included as part of his renegotiated contract last October.

‘Having that was well planned and structured by the club, in a sense that there’s a sort of finish point,’ Howe said on Friday.

‘We don’t want constant speculation, it’s not healthy for the player or for us.

‘It goes without saying we want to keep him, I want to build our team around him. His form has been very good — he seems very happy and settled.

‘He’ll be thinking about a very busy summer ahead, where hopefully we can take the team with him a big part of it. But we aren’t in control of that so let’s see.

‘I am aware of his contractual status but it’s not something I focus on.’

Howe also admitted Newcastle will target new signings with room to develop due to Financial Fair Play restrictions.

‘I think with our current situation and the landscape of the financial position I am not sure we are able to recruit ready-made elite players,’ Howe said.

‘The players you are trying to get across, I don’t think we are in a position to do that and I don’t think we were in a position to do that last year.

‘So I think we have to be really smart with our recruitment. I think we have to be maybe different to some of the other clubs we are in and around. It is all about the individual player not what bracket they’re in. And what they can do for us and how they can take the team or squad forward.’

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