Newcastle United head coach Matthias Jaissle says the decision on Bruno Guimaraes’ future was already settled before the pair’s brief first meeting at the club’s training camp in Spain.
Arsenal are poised to finalise a £75m deal for the midfielder after a breakthrough in talks. Guimaraes, 28, subsequently said an emotional goodbye to teammates and staff.
“I met him only briefly, but the call had been made,” Jaissle told reporters at his first media session since taking charge. He praised Guimaraes as both a top player and person, acknowledging the move represents the Brazilian’s next challenge while stressing Newcastle will back the squad in place and expect further changes.
Guimaraes is set to become the fourth major departure in under a year. Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali have moved to Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur respectively this window, while Alexander Isak joined Liverpool last summer.
Club legend Alan Shearer has wished Jaissle well, while cautioning that a difficult season with testing moments may lie ahead. Jaissle, however, views the transition as a chance to begin a new cycle, shaping a young, hungry side after succeeding Eddie Howe. He emphasized focusing on what the team can control and expressed confidence there will be progress this season.
While concentrating on the players currently on the training pitch, Newcastle are pushing to add more before the campaign begins. The club has shifted strategy toward younger continental recruits; at 24, goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek is the oldest arrival so far. Around £146m has been invested to date in Hornicek, fellow goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen, midfielders Aladji Bamba and Sean Steur, and winger Bazoumana Toure. Like Jaissle, none have Premier League experience.
Following trophy-winning spells with Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia and RB Salzburg in Austria, the 38-year-old is embracing the step into English football, calling it a long-held ambition. Newcastle open the new season against Liverpool at St James’ Park on 23 August.