Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has advised the club against selling star duo Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes this summer.
Howe insisted that he is planning next season with the duo amidst serious interest from Premier League contenders Arsenal and Manchester City.
Howe said (via NUFC TV), “I don’t know why that (richer clubs targeting Newcastle players) is so relevant or in the news as much as it is.
“I’m planning for them to be here. All my planning is with them in the squad. We’re looking to build a squad and a really successful team, and to do that, we don’t want to sell our best players.
“That is hugely important for us – it will knock us back some considerable distance because we will have to start again.”
Isak has been linked with a move to Arsenal after scoring 20 Premier League goals this term and earning himself nominations for the Premier League Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season awards.
The Gunners lack firepower up top and are keen on reinforcing the centre-forward position this summer with Isak on their radar.
They have also been credited with interest in box-to-box dynamo Guimaraes.
Arsenal may lose Thomas Partey this summer and want to add the Brazilian to their stacked midfield options.
Manchester City are also looking to bolster their midfield ranks after Matheus Nunes and Mateo Kovacic have failed to impress.
City manager Pep Guardiola is eyeing Guimaraes as he looks to bring in new midfield options this summer.
A hefty transfer fee could tempt Newcastle to part ways with Isak or Guimaraes, but the potential setback to their ambitions seems to be a gamble Howe is unwilling to take.
Arsenal and Manchester City must now decide how far they are willing to go to prise these coveted players away from St James’ Park.
