Newcastle United’s summer unraveling did not begin with Anthony Gordon’s sale, Sandro Tonali’s exit, or the endless rumors involving captain Bruno Guimaraes.
If the latest reports are true, then it all started with one private conversation that gave former Magpies head coach Eddie Howe an early warning of what was coming and ultimately pushed him out of Tyneside.
According to Football Insider’s Pete O’Rourke, Bruno Guimaraes told Howe weeks ago that he wanted to leave Newcastle and join Arsenal if
the two clubs could agree a transfer fee, which finally happened on Wednesday as the Magpies sanctioned a £75 million sale to Arsenal.
O’Rourke reports the conversation between gaffer and skipper took place face-to-face in the United States during the World Cup, after Gordon and Tonali had already moved on. Bruno’s stance is believed to have contributed to Howe’s decision to step away following an increasingly frustrating transfer window.
“Bruno had a very good relationship with Eddie Howe,” O’Rourke said. “Eddie Howe met with him in America to see what his thoughts were on his future. He did tell him that he would like to move on and make that move to Arsenal if a deal can be agreed in that meeting, and that has since become clear.”
O’Rourke expected the Bruno transfer to go through, and considers Howe’s departure as one removing an important connection between Bruno and the club, ultimately contributing to the summer-long saga having a bad ending for Newcastle in losing their captain to the Premier League champions.
Bruno, 28, returned to Newcastle’s training camp in La Manga after delaying his trip for a couple of days, but his arrival didn’t change his mindset and only served as an on-location farewell in front of his now-former teammates.
If this report is accurate, does it change how you view Bruno Guimaraes’ departure or Eddie Howe’s decision to leave? Let us know in the comments section below!
