Bruno Guimaraes wants to help lead Newcastle United back to the Champions League - after ending speculation over his future.

The midfielder - who had a £100million release clause in his contract which expired at the end of June - has been linked with Premier League champions Manchester City and Arsenal this summer.

However, the 26-year-old on Thursday insisted that he has never wanted to leave the club he joined in January 2022.

Guimaraes has also been added to the players' 'leadership group' following the summer departure of Matt Ritchie.

The Brazil international, appearing alongside Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe ahead of the club's weekend Sela Cup home friendlies against Girona and Stade Brestois, said: 'I am always here. I never said that I would like to leave.'

Eddie Howe has included Bruno Guimaraes in his leadership group after the departure of Matt Ritchie

Asked about the speculation over his future, Guimaraes added: 'I didn't know anything about it. My focus was always Newcastle. I'm very happy.

'The gaffer has given me a big responsibility to be in the leadership group. I want to be a leader. I want to help the club in many ways.

'Since I've been here, I've developed my game a lot. I'm grateful to him and his staff. Now I think it's time to deliver something special.'

Guimaraes revealed that he wanted to play Champions League football with the club when he joined amid a dire relegation battle, and the team qualified for the competition 18 months later.

Newcastle were narrowly beaten to a European place last season when they finished seventh, and Guimaraes - who said he was labelled as being 'crazy' for talking the Champions League football when he joined from Olympique Lyonnais - is 'dreaming' of a top-four place, and a trophy, again this coming season.

'Since I signed for the club, I have said that I want to put my name in the club's history,' said Guimaraes. 'Nothing has changed for me. I still want to win some trophies.

'When I signed for the club, I said I wanted to play in the Champions League, and everyone said I was crazy, but we got it.

'Now I want to be in the Champions League again and win something for the club. The fans deserve it. This is still my dream.'

Guimaraes linked up with the squad in Japan last week after taking a holiday following the end of Brazil's Copa America campaign.

'I think when you don't have the international players with you, you notice a big hole,' said Howe. 'The early weeks of pre-season, for us, we were training without Bruno and the other internationals.

'When he came back, naturally everyone was lifted. I think he's got those qualities in him. He lifts the group, and he has since he joined the club.

'I want to echo what Bruno said. We're motivated to do exactly the same. We're desperate for success, and he epitomises that.'