Bruno Guimarães expresses gratitude to Newcastle United as he departs for new challenge

Bruno Guimarães, the 28-year-old Brazilian captain of Newcastle United, has made clear his desire to leave St James’ Park for Arsenal, capping a tenure that transformed both his career and the club’s trajectory with an emotional, gratitude-laden farewell. The departure comes during a summer of upheaval on Tyneside, one that has already seen manager Eddie Howe leave and key players like Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon head for the exit. A farewell laced with feeling Guimarães took to social media in late July 2026 to express his gratitude to Howe, crediting the now-departed manager with shaping his development and entrusting him with the armband. For a player who arrived from Lyon in January 2022, the captaincy represented the ultimate endorsement of his influence. In a lighter moment, Guimarães revealed that Arsenal’s Declan Rice had messaged him wanting to be friends. The two could soon be sharing a midfield rather than just a group chat. Arsenal are reportedly prepared to pay up to £60 million for Guimarães, a figure that could climb toward €70 million depending on the structure of add-ons. Newcastle’s summer of exits Guimarães informed Newcastle of his wish to leave shortly aft...