Newcastle United’s new head coach Matthias Jaissle has acknowledged that Bruno Guimaraes had already decided to leave the club before they could hold a detailed discussion about his departure. The Brazilian midfielder’s transfer to Arsenal has been completed for a reported £75 million, marking one of Newcastle’s significant player sales this summer.

Jaissle, who was appointed as Eddie Howe’s successor earlier this month, spoke briefly with Guimaraes but found that the player’s mind was already set on his next move. He described the conversation as positive, highlighting Guimaraes not only as a talented footballer but also as a person of strong character. “It was a nice conversation, fantastic player but also a great human being,” Jaissle said. "It’s tough, but also for him, it’s the next challenge."

Guimaraes traveled to London to finalize the deal, which adds to Newcastle’s busy transfer window that has already seen approximately £250 million worth of outgoing transfers. Jaissle indicated that while the team will need to adjust following these departures, there is confidence in the current squad and an acknowledgment that further changes may be forthcoming.

The midfielder’s move to Arsenal comes as the club looks to strengthen its squad and maintain its position at the top of the Premier League, while Newcastle faces the challenge of restructuring ahead of the new season under Jaissle’s leadership. Both Newcastle and Arsenal have yet to release detailed official statements on the transaction beyond confirming the completion of the transfer.