Newcastle United will fly out to La Manga for a pre-season training camp today without club captain Bruno Guimaraes.
Bruno Guimaraes will not travel with the Newcastle United squad to Spain on Friday amid ongoing transfer links with Premier League champions Arsenal.
Guimaraes has been on an extended break after representing Brazil at the World Cup. While the majority of Newcastle’s international players returned to training this week and will fly with the squad to Murcia on Friday afternoon for a pre-season training camp, Guimaraes remains away.
It was suggested that the plan was for Guimaraes to return to the training ground on Friday before travelling, but those plans have since changed.
Bruno Guimaraes (inset) wants to leave Newcastle United.placeholder image
Bruno Guimaraes (inset) wants to leave Newcastle United. | Getty Images
Prior to the news of his departure, Eddie Howe said: “The details I don’t actually know, but I don’t see any reason why that wouldn’t be the case [Guimaraes being back on Friday].”
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This was also backed up by Newcastle winger Harvey Barnes, who was clearer in his understanding of the situation: “[Guimaraes] is back in on Friday, so it'll be good to see him.
“He's the captain of the football club, so it'll be exciting to have him back. You want to keep your best players, of course you do. He's a big part of what we've got going on here. I can't really say any more on that. It's just good to see him on Friday and I'm excited.”
But this is not how the situation has played out. Instead is is now being claimed that there is a plan for Guimaraes to join up with the squad in Spain over the weekend. This is understood to be an option agreed by the club given the 28-year-old has been on holiday in Brazil.
Whether he turns up in Spain ready for training on Monday or whether Arsenal make a move by then is another question.
And it will be an instant challenge for incoming head coach Matthias Jaissle to address, as he is expected to join up with the squad on Saturday as the club prepares an official announcement regarding Howe’s exit and the appointment of his replacement.
The Gazette understands that Guimaraes has told the club he wants to leave and a move will likely happen once Arsenal officially table an offer. It will be another blow in what has been a damaging 12 months for the club on the back of a Carabao Cup win and Champions League qualification.
Since then, the Magpies have lost Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali, Howe and now likely Guimaraes. While they have recouped significant fees in the process, the incomings, manager included, are all young and unproven at Premier League level.