EDDIE Howe insists Newcastle's hopes of keeping hold of Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak this summer doesn't hinge on European qualification - but admits the Magpies must prove their ambitions if they're to convince their stars to stay.

United have grown accustomed to dealing with speculation linking their key men with move away, with talk of interest and exits having ramped up since Darren Eales admitted in January a star might have to be sold at some stage in order for Newcastle to continue to comply with the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules.

Isak's dazzling form for the Magpies has led to recent links with Arsenal and Tottenham, while Bruno has been the subject of repeated speculation since he joined the club. PSG are one club to have been linked and the midfielder's agent was in Paris this week to watch their game against Rennes.

Howe is desperate to keep Bruno this summer and while the head coach is confident missing out on Champions League football won't prompt the Brazilian into pushing for a move, he says the Magpies must show their stars that the club is on the right path, despite this season's difficulties, and are aiming for the top.

“Let me tell you players like Bruno, they are not around every corner," said Howe.

"They are very rare. Bruno should be appreciated for everything he brings. My intention would be to keep Bruno at the club for as long as we possibly can.

“I can never make guarantees though. That would be absolutely foolish of me. We have been in football long enough to know you don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow.

“He is an integral part of the team and playing very well."

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When it was put to Howe that Bruno could potentially double his money by moving to a club like PSG, he said: "If a player can double his wages you are already in a difficult position. You have created that scenario and I am giving you the truth and the reality.

“Who knows what the future holds. But for our part in it we have to try to make the player at home and happy, develop them, develop their careers, their talents and hopefully that is enough to keep them here for a long time."

Hopes of a second successive season in the Champions League have disappeared but Howe is determined to still secure European football next term - but says that isn't the sole factor in tempting their star man to stay put.

"It will help but I don’t think it will be the defining factor," he said.

"That’s in the player’s hands and the club’s hands. Europe would certainly help.

"A lot will depend on our ambitions and where the club is going to go in the foreseeable future. I don’t think one season necessarily dictates that, it’s the general feeling of where the club is going to go."

Howe added: "I'm not saying that (we need to convince them), I’m saying that we as a football club need to continue to push forward. You set your ambitions not just in terms of talking but in actions, so we need to show to them that we are a club moving forward."

Newcastle are braced for another summer of speculation linking their stars with moves away, but Howe isn't concerned. And where Isak is concerned, he'll welcome more talk of interest - for it'll mean the striker has continued his excellent recent form.

He said “I don't fear that. In some senses, that's what you want because it means your players are playing at a level that everyone appreciates and I want my players, all of them, to be playing above what they think they're capable of being.

“So no, I don't think fear is the right word. I want Alex to keep scoring goals, I want him to keep being in the headlines – I'm sure he wants the same thing – but we want to keep him long-term."