Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes has sent an emotional farewell message to the club's departing manager on social media.
The 28-year-old Brazil international has been a standout player for the Magpies under Eddie Howe, but it now seems both are parting ways, with the manager's exit confirmed and Guimaraes reportedly closing in on a transfer to Arsenal.
Guimaraes posted a heartfelt message on Instagram, expressing his gratitude to Howe, which has sparked speculation about his own future at the club.
The midfielder's message read: “I enjoyed being our player.” This could be a typo, with Guimaraes perhaps meaning to say “your”, in which case he was only talking about Howe in the past tense, but if he really meant “our” then it could mean he's also reflecting on his time at Newcastle as a whole as it seems close to coming to an end.
Eddie Howe's departure is believed to be linked to the sale of Guimaraes, who is expected to be sold by Newcastle this summer.
It's been a difficult transfer window for the Magpies so far, with the sales of Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon also taking place, and it wouldn't be surprising if Howe became unhappy at seeing his squad dismantled.
Newcastle looked like a club on the up not long ago, with Howe leading them to Carabao Cup glory and qualifying for the Champions League in the 2024/25 season.
However, the sale of Alexander Isak to Liverpool last year seemed to set them on a downward spiral, and the loss of Guimaraes could be the final straw for the club.
Arsenal fans will be keeping a close eye on Guimaraes' social media activity, as it could provide a clue to when he'll finally make his way to the Emirates Stadium.
His agent also shared an intriguing hint on Instagram last night, posting an image of Guimaraes alongside Brazilian teammate Vinicius Junior, who has also been linked with Arsenal.
The transfer window is still in its early stages, and it remains to be seen whether Guimaraes will make the move to Arsenal or stay at Newcastle.
