Eddie Howe on 'very thin ice' at Newcastle amid talks over two more marquee sales

Eddie Howe could pay the ultimate price if Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali leave Newcastle United in big-money deals this summer.

That is the opinion of experienced former Everton, Tottenham and Aston Villa scout, Bryan King, exclusively speaking to Football Insider.

The Premier League champions have had an initial approach for Guimaraes rejected, but are expected to go back in.

The Brazil international is under contract at Newcastle until 2028, but is reportedly paying serious consideration to his future this summer.

The Magpies have insisted that their captain is not for sale at any price, but should he begin to push for an exit, transfer chiefs would be put in a difficult position.

Newcastle are also in negotiations over the sale of Tonali, and developments in that case could still impact Guimaraes' situation.

Bryan King predicts trouble for Eddie Howe

Guimaraes joined Newcastle from Lyon in 2022, and has served as a leading light of the club's transition to competition since.

The 28-year-old has established himself among Europe's best midfielders, scoring goals at a superb rate in the Premier League while dominating in almost every department.

That form has bled into the World Cup this summer, where the Brazilian has provided four assists in four games for his nation.

Simply put, Newcastle are a completely different team without Guimaraes on the pitch, and his departure could well be fatal for Howe.

"I just think that if Eddie Howe allowed that to happen, that will put Eddie Howe on very thin ice up there," King told Football Insider.

"I think he's on as thin ice as he is, but I don't think the supporters would go along with the manager wanting to get rid of the star man and captain."

Guimaraes exit could see Newcastle project collapse

Newcastle have already lost Anthony Gordon this summer, after the winger joined Barcelona in a £69m move.

But Guimaraes's exit would be an entirely different proposition to deal with for the Magpies.

The Brazilian is their captain, their talisman and leading light for a team that often disappointed last season.

Should he leave this summer, Newcastle's project that started just before he joined in 2022 would, in many eyes, be dead in the water.