Bruno Guimaraes speaks out after Eddie Howe’s exit, dropping a big hint about a move to Arsenal
Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes shared a heartfelt message on social media after Eddie Howe’s surprise departure. On Thursday, it was confirmed that Howe is leaving Newcastle after an amazing five years at St James’ Park.
Howe, 48, turned the team from struggling to fighting among the best, helping them qualify for the Champions League twice. He also made history by winning the Carabao Cup against Liverpool in 2025, ending the club’s 70-year wait for a trophy.
Despite all this success, Howe felt he couldn’t continue because he had little control over player transfers. Newcastle has sold some top players recently, including Alexander Isak’s record move to Liverpool in 2025, and this summer, both Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali left.
After a tough 4-1 loss to Bristol City in pre-season, Howe even hinted that captain Bruno Guimaraes might be next to leave, as he is close to joining Arsenal. According to L’Equipe, Arsenal had a £77 million offer accepted on Friday, with some bonuses and agent fees still to be finalized.
Earlier in July, Guimaraes told Newcastle he wanted to leave, but unlike Isak, he isn’t pushing too hard to move immediately. He also asked the club to delay his trip to La Manga for pre-season training, showing his transfer to Arsenal might happen soon.
Since joining from Lyon for £40 million in January 2022, Guimaraes has made a huge impact. Many see him as one of the Premier League’s best midfielders. The 28-year-old was key in multiple Champions League runs and helped lift the Carabao Cup. Last season, he got involved in 15 goals over 29 games, making fans even more fond of him.
Guimaraes had a great relationship with Howe and shared a touching message on Instagram, thanking the manager for helping him grow both as a player and person.
He wrote: “Ed, how can I ever say thanks enough? First, thank you for bringing me here. Thank you for all you did to help me grow, not just as a player but as a person. You gave me the honor of being captain—your captain. That’s something I’ll never forget and will always carry with me.
“Being with you day to day and having you as my manager was a real privilege. I’m so grateful for every chance you gave me, the trust you showed, and every moment we shared. You’re one of the best managers I’ve ever had. Please know I’m always thankful and you’ll always have a friend in me.
“Thanks for everything. I wish you and your family all the happiness and success. With love, Bruno.”
Under Howe, Guimaraes scored 31 goals and made 32 assists in 195 games, with the manager playing a big part in helping him reach his full potential.
But for Newcastle fans, the strong bond between Bruno and Howe, plus his feelings about Howe’s exit, only raise more questions about his future. It seems just a matter of time before he officially moves to Arsenal, as the club is close to hiring Matthias Jaissle on a four-year deal.