Bruno Guimaraes plays for Newcastle United during the Sela Cup match between Newcastle United and RCD Espanyol at St. James s Park in Newcastle, United Kingdom, on August 8, 2025

Bruno Guimaraes is one of Newcastle United's most talented players.Imago

Newcastle will be secretly relieved by Bruno Guimaraes' 'weird' display as three big names expected to leave

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior football journalist specialising in refereeing and officiating; former contributor to The Football League Paper, Late Tackle, and the Premier League; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Refereeing controversies, football finance and governance, PGMOL decisions, and officiating analysis across the Premier League, EFL, and SPFL. THE INSIGHT Harri utilises a network of officiating and industry contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis of refereeing decisions and PGMOL policy. He provides the regulatory clarity behind the controversy to ensure fans get the full picture.

Published on:

20 Jun 2026, 9:40 am

Eddie Howe could be about to lose multiple big-name players but Bruno Guimaraes remains one of Newcastle United's most dependable assets.

Despite an incredibly difficult 2025-26 campaign, finishing 12th in the Premier League, the midfielder grabbed nine goals and seven assists across all competitions.

He was the club's highest goalscorer and best playmaker in the league, with Nick Woltemade coming closest to his goal contributions with 11.

Howe has already had to wave goodbye to Anthony Gordon, and rumours are building around the futures of Sandro Tonali, Lewis Hall and Tino Livramento.

Sources have told Football Insider that all three could have left St James' Park by the end of the summer transfer window.

The World Cup can often become a shop window for many players, with a high volume of stars trying to impress their potential next club on the biggest stage of them all.

And while Guimaraes has now helped Brazil to four points in Group C, his performance against Haiti on Saturday, 20 June, was nothing to write home about.

Bruno Guimaraes nothing special vs Haiti

That should be a huge relief for Howe and his transfer chiefs, because the idea of having to replace the 28-year-old this summer is not an ideal one.

Carlo Ancelotti's side claimed a 3-0 win over Haiti, with Matheus Cunha and Vinicius Junior the stand-out stars, and very little was said about the Newcastle man.

Reacting to the game, GOAL (20 June) wrote: "Plenty of dirty work in midfield. Played some nice passes, too. It's a weird unit, but the Newcastle man makes it work."

He did well enough to gain a 7/10 rating from the media outlet, but is "nice" and "weird" enough to earn him a move away from St James' Park? Newcastle fans will be hoping not.

Manchester City, Manchester United and Real Madrid are the three clubs normally linked with the midfielder during a summer window, but rumours are much quieter this time around.

Eddie Howe: Newcastle boss has 'major concerns' as multiple star players could quit

Bruno Guimaraes' importance to Newcastle confirmed in stats vs Nottingham Forest as summer aim clear

What do the stats say about the Newcastle star's display?

The media really weren't kidding about Guimaraes doing the "dirty" work, winning seven of his 10 ground duels, 100 per cent of his aerial duels, and also winning two fouls [FotMob].

He also made five tackles and two recoveries, but moving forward, he was slightly underwhelming, with just one chance created and zero shots.

The Newcastle star was also a little sloppy in possession, only accurately delivering one of his four long balls, while also being dispossessed once.

While there will be more opportunities for the player to impress, potential suitors won't be looking at his display against Haiti with any amazement.

Sandro Tonali