Eddie Howe has decided to call time on his Newcastle United managerial career, and that could spell the end for one of their key players in this transfer window.

Bruno Guimarães has been a wanted man, with reports suggesting that Arsenal are strong admirers of the Brazilian.

To this point, Newcastle are understood to have been firm in their desire to keep him at St. James’ Park, but with the manager leaving, could the fan favourite in the north east of England be heading out of the exit door just as his manager has?

Howe’s Exit Could See Guimarães Go

News broke that Howe had decided to part ways with the English Premier League club after just over four years in charge. He had decided to remain at the club following the conclusion of last season, although his position had been under scrutiny after a poor end to the campaign.

Having won their first title in 70 years by lifting the 2025 League Cup, they ended last season’s campaign with a whimper, winning just five of their 17 Premier League games from January 7 to finish 12th, as well as going out in the Champions League Round of 16 following a humbling 8-3 aggregate defeat to Barcelona.

Guimarães has been a key player for the Toon Army since arriving in January 2022, quickly becoming an adopted Geordie. However, Arsenal’s interest in him hasn’t gone unnoticed.

There is a growing optimism among Gunners fans that, following Howe’s departure, the Brazilian will exit with him before the closure of the transfer window, especially as it’s said he wants to go to London and join the Premier League champions.

Newcastle Taken To The Cleaners

While it is understood Howe has cited needing a break as the reason why he has left, Newcastle have undoubtedly been taken to the cleaners when it comes to key personnel leaving this summer.

It has been an incredibly disruptive transfer window for the club, with Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali having been sold to Barcelona and Tottenham Hotspur respectively. They have also had moves hijacked, with Victor Munoz having been swept from right under them by Liverpool at the last minute.

It was always going to be a difficult rebuilding job at Newcastle, with Al Hilal’s Matthias Jaissle the likely new boss set to face those challenges. However, it could be even greater if Bruno heads south to the English capital.