Newcastle United count down to Bruno £100m 'clause window' calmly despite late Al-Nassr link

Newcastle United are hoping to make it to the end of Bruno Guimaraes' release clause window unscathed tonight.

Despite initial suggestions that Bruno's £100million release clause ran out on June 30, reports of a new date, namely 23.59pm this evening, have emerged over the weekend. With Eddie Howe privately hoping that there are no late takers at £100m, and Bruno safely in the United States preparing for Brazil's Copa America clash with Costa Rica, a degree of control has now been gained by the Magpies.

Although, one report in Portugal suggested that Al-Nassr of the Saudi Pro League were keen on a possible raid before the clause cut off point. Should Newcastle start tomorrow with the clause expired, the only danger then would be of clubs trying their luck with different offers.

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Man City, Paris St-Germain and Arsenal have all been credited with interest in Bruno but so far his agent has kept silent on any talk of a move this summer. Whether the trio come back and try their luck later in the window remains to be seen but there is no longer a release clause to be activated.

Howe, trying to enjoy the last two weeks of his summer holiday, said back in Apri: "I’m aware of his contractual status, but it’s not something I focus on. Having that was well planned and structured by the club, in a sense that there is a finish point.

"We want to keep him, we want to build our team around him and he’s an integral part of what we are doing. His form has been very good. He seems very happy and settled. He will be thinking about a busy summer ahead and where we can hopefully take the team. He is a big part of that. We are not in control of that, so we shall see."

But control now seems to be the name of the game for Newcastle. If Bruno remains in black and white on September 1 that could be one of the biggest victories of the window for Howe in the eyes of some fans.