Newcastle's Brazilian duo have bolstered their reputations on Tyneside, with Bruno Guimaraes interesting Manchester City after being Joelinton's best man at his wedding in May. However the pair have plans to achieve more together this season.

Joelinton is convinced Bruno Guimaraes will stay at Newcastle this summer - and the duo have set a target of leading Brazil at the next World Cup.

The Newcastle midfield enforcer, 27, signed a new deal this summer to stay on Tyneside until 2028. And he has given the strongest declaration yet that his best man Bruno - who had a PS100m release clause that expired in June - will be alongside him despite lingering interest from Manchester City.

Joelinton is fit again after a troubled season and says a refreshed squad will target the new campaign with "great expectations" and an eye of getting back to Europe. Joelinton was a huge miss last season on Newcastle's left side, but is now tied down for the long term on and off the pitch after getting married in Brazil in the summer.

In his first interview since signing, he said: "I'm very happy, I always said I wanted to stay at the club. I love the club, the city. My family is happy there, I enjoy my life there. Things are going well on the football pitch so why not stay? I'm happy to continue my journey here."

Asked if he'd had the same conversations with Guimaraes, he said: "Yes, I hope he stays. I know him, he loves the club as well. He loves the fans, he enjoys his life in Newcastle United.

"He's glad to be there for his life as well as football. Newcastle and the club want him to be happy and stay for many years.

Bruno Guimaraes featured for Brazil at the Copa America ( Image:

Joelinton wed Thays Gondim, his partner of nine years, and he said: "Yes, the summer was one of the best, getting married, it was a great time for me, my family, my wife. We had a great time with my friends, we enjoyed our life.

"We come back fresh. Bruno's a better dancer than me, I'm not so good, I try to enjoy it....and have a great time. I'm glad Bruno and his family came and we enjoyed time together. It was a good time.

"But now it is back to work and my hopes are high for the new season with Newcastle. Last season was difficult for me with the injuries and now I want to be healthy and help the team in every respect. I want to help us get back up there again.

Guimaraes and Joelinton are close friends on and off the pitch ( Image:

"We want to be a competitive team. That's what you want, that's what you work for. We will hopefully have a good season.

"If I do a good job at Newcastle I have a chance to go to the national team. So I try to think one day at a time and try to help my team before the World Cup."

"They gave me a new mentality and helped my football. They've definitely changed my career. I will be grateful forever. We love him here, we want him here.

"Hopefully he will stay for many years. He's a great coach and I know he can take us to the next level. Of course we want him to stay here for as long as possible. We want to stay with him."