Eddie Howe says he doesn't know what will happen with Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes' future.

Arsenal are weighing up a £70million offer for Guimaraes who has told Newcastle he wants to leave and join the Premier League champions.

Newcastle say he is not for sale and have yet to receive a formal approach but Howe said: 'Look I don't know what is going to happen with Bruno's future, that is for other people to speculate about.

'I've spoken to Bruno before, during and after the World Cup.

'We have had some really good conversations. He's just a fantastic person.

'There's conversations I'm not part of.

'I don't think it's fair to compare (to Alexander Isak last summer). You've got to look at it in its own right.

'He's captain of our club and been an unbelievable player, through the whole time we have worked together. I speak on behalf of everyone at the club, we absolutely love him and of course everyone would love him to stay.

'He's due back on the 31st, and there's nothing to say he won't be back.'

Howe added: 'We don't want to lose our best players. That's an obvious statement to make. Losing those big two is painful for us and difficult. For me, it's been another challenging summer so far.'