Eddie Howe has revealed that the £100million release clause in the contract of Bruno Guimaraes expires at the end of June, and he believes that is a smart move to avoid a summer of speculation.

The Brazilian is admired by Manchester City, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain, and the club expect enquiries for him following the season’s end.

Howe is adamant he wants to keep Guimaraes at St James’ Park and feels a hard headline for his release clause to be activated is beneficial.

‘Having that was well planned and structured by the club, in a sense that there is a finish point,’ he said. ‘We don’t want the constant speculation, I don’t think that’s healthy for the player or for us.’

The midfielder, 26, arrived on Tyneside in a £40m deal from Lyon in January, 2022. His worth has at least doubled in the period since, and Howe added: ‘It goes without saying that my thoughts are we want to keep Bruno and build our team around him.

‘He is an integral part of what we’re doing. His form has been very good. He seems very happy and settled. He will be thinking about a busy summer ahead and, hopefully, where we can take the team with him a big part of that. But I’m not in control of that, so let’s see.’

Meanwhile, Howe says he has not yet been consulted on the identity of the next sporting director, as the recruitment process enters its final stages. Mail Sport revealed on Thursday that Crystal Palace chief Dougie Freedman is in the running.

Howe said: ‘If the club wanted to seek my opinion, I’d be more than happy to do that. That hasn’t happened to this point and I respect and understand that.

‘But it’s a big appointment for us, we have to try and get it right. We have to work really closely with whoever it is to take the team forward and make good decisions for the future of the club. It’s an absolutely key appointment for us.

‘It will be the best candidate, that is all I would want. I don’t have a preference over nationality, just the best person who can help take the club forward.’

When would he like that appointment to be made?

‘I think my preference would be they’re here yesterday,’ said Howe. ‘Having that continuity and building that working relationship, I think is important we need to build it as quickly as possible.’