Bruno Guimaraes “can’t wait” to return to Newcastle United for pre-season, according to close pal and teammate Joelinton.
The Brazilian was last with his Magpies teammates in May when his goal helped record a 4-2 win at Brentford on the final day of the 2023-24 Premier League campaign.
With his £100million release clause well documented, it was feared that would be the last time Guimaraes played in black and white. However, his release clause has since expired and Newcastle CEO Darren Eales expects all the club’s key assets to remain on Tyneside.
Eddie Howe’s squad are currently at Adidas’ global headquarters in Herzogenaurach for a five-day training camp but Guimaraes and fellow internationals Fabian Schar, Martin Dubravka, Kieran Trippier, Anthony Gordon and Miguel Almiron have been granted extra time off.
Guimaraes represented Brazil at the Copa America and beat Almiron’s Paraguay in the group before losing to Uruguay at the quarter-final stage. Although disappointment still lingers for the 26-year-old, he is looking forward to linking up with the Magpies in Japan.
“Brazil were unlucky to not get the result we wanted. It was sad for him, the team and Brazil fans,” said Joelinton, who had Guimaraes as the best man at his wedding last month. “But he is good now.
“He is recovering after a long a season and he can’t wait to come back as well. He’ll be back to go to Japan with us and it’s going to be great to have him back, plus the other international players that aren’t back yet.”
Following the trip to Germany, Newcastle will face Burnley in a training ground friendly and Hull City at the MKM Stadium on Saturday, July 27 before flying out to Toyko the same day.
Guimaraes and his teammates take on Urawa Red Diamonds at Saitama Stadium on Wednesday, July 31 and Yokohama F. Marinos on Saturday, August 3. The following weekend, United round-off their preparations for the new season by welcoming Girona and Stade Brestois to St James’ Park for the ‘Sela weekender’.
“Very happy to be back and very excited for the season,” added Joelinton. “The pre-season has started and we have been working really hard, everyone including the new players as well.
“It’s been really great to be back with the guys. Training has been hard but can’t wait for the season to start.”
The competitive campaign begins when newly-promoted Southampton visit Tyneside on Saturday, August 17.
