Did Eddie Howe confirm Bruno Guimaraes' departure in final Newcastle interview?

Howe is widely reported to have parted ways with the Magpies after five years at St. James' Park, with his increasing frustration with the club's selling off of key players among the drivers behind his departure.

Newcastle have sold Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali over the past 12 months, with the latter two players leaving this summer for Barcelona and Tottenham, respectively. Club captain Bruno Guimaraes is the target of a reported £70 million bid from Premier League champions Arsenal, with the Brazilian midfielder said to be keen on the move.

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Losing Howe and Guimaraes after the sale of Gordon and Tonali could be another blow for a Newcastle side that have been unable to match their results with their ambition, and the outgoing manager may have confirmed Guimaraes' departure on Wednesday night during what is believed to be his final public comments as Magpies boss.

Newcastle fell 4-1 to Bristol City in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday, with Guimaraes not in the squad. Howe hinted that the reported ongoing talks between Newcastle, Arsenal and Guimaraes were a "distraction" and that he hoped that the speculation would not continue for much longer.

“But we’re not in control of that," Howe said of the increasing media focus on Guimaraes' future. "And to some degree, I don’t think Bruno’s in control of that either. What will be, will be.

“We can’t control the forces that are at play here, we’ve just got to make sure that when Bruno comes back, we look after him and he trains well, which I’m sure he will do. And he makes a difference as he always has done.”

Howe's comments on the Newcastle captain were vague, but he left the possibility open that Guimaraes will return to St. James' Park as a member of the Magpies.

“I’ve said many times we want players who are committed, and Bruno has always been committed. His training performances and his game performances have been outstanding, every time he’s worn the shirt, he’s played with the fans by his side. I’d love to see that continue.

“The details, I don’t actually know, but I don’t see any reason why that wouldn’t be the case."

However, with Howe seemingly out the door, the chances that Guimaraes also leaves seem to have increased.

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