Eddie Howe looking stern on the sidelines, with Bruno Guimaraes in action for Newcastle

Eddie Howe Bruno GuimaraesImago

Eddie Howe edges closer to Newcastle exit as Bruno Guimaraes forces Arsenal move - verdict

Correspondent AUTHORITY Football journalist with experience at the Edinburgh Evening News and GRV Media; Masters graduate from the University of Derby. FOCUS Scottish Premiership coverage with specialist knowledge of Rangers, Celtic, Hearts, Aberdeen, and Motherwell. THE INSIGHT Jack utilises a network of club and industry contacts across the Scottish Premiership to deliver verified, high-speed reporting. He provides the tactical and transfer insight behind the headlines to ensure fans get the full story as it happens.

Published on:

09 Jul 2026, 5:30 am

Bruno Guimaraes’ request to leave Newcastle United this summer has shown exactly why Eddie Howe should already have left the club.

Reports emerged on Wednesday that the Brazil international has informed the club of his desire to quit and join Arsenal.

If the 28-year-old does depart, he will be the third big-name starter to find a new club this summer after Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali’s sales.

Given Guimaraes' status as the most popular and best player at the club, who had to be talked out of physically confronting Alexander Isak when he went on strike this time last year to engineer a move to Liverpool, Newcastle would be in dangerous territory that questions the club's entire project under their super-wealthy Saudi Arabian owners.

No Champions League football at Newcastle this season has likely played a part in these players seeking a new club, but it also exposes how little pull Howe has.

Many fans will have expected one or two stars to leave, but three would potentially be a massive issue ahead of the new season.

Howe was heavily linked with the sack at the end of the 2025-26 campaign, and it now appears the club have made the wrong decision by keeping him on.

Eddie Howe simply does not have any pull at Newcastle United

In recent years, multiple big teams have failed to qualify for Europe and managed to keep hold of their best players.

Manchester United is perhaps the best example after Bruno Fernandes stayed at Old Trafford for the 2025-26 campaign.

However, even smaller clubs have not seen a fire sale of their best stars, with the likes of West Ham United keeping hold of Jarrod Bowen after their fall down the Premier League table.

Yet, The Athletic’s report that Guimaraes wants to leave shows that players have little interest in sticking around once times get tough.

This exposes that playing under Howe simply isn’t convincing the Magpies’ star to stick to the project.

Therefore, the 48-year-old may need to be moved on if Newcastle are to retain their stars in the future.

At the very least, Guimaraes' increasingly likely departure pushes the manager closer to the exit door.

Newcastle's next signing couldn't be more obvious after Bazoumana Toure 'agreement'

Who could Newcastle United still bring in this summer?

One man that Newcastle have been linked with this summer has been Alexander Sorloth.

The Atletico Madrid striker is currently away with Norway at the 2026 World Cup and has become a clear target for the Magpies.

However, Football Insider has exclusively revealed that Newcastle’s pursuit of Sorloth may depend on Barcelona’s attempted move for Julian Alvarez.

Sources say that the Spanish giants do not want to lose both of their frontmen in the same summer, which could once again damage Newcastle’s transfer plans.

Eddie Howe