Newcastle United manager Matthias Jaissle stated that the decision about captain Bruno Guimaraes' future was "already made" by the time he first met the departing midfielder. Jaissle briefly spoke with Guimaraes at the club's training camp in Spain earlier this week.
Arsenal are reportedly set to finalise a £75m transfer for the 28-year-old midfielder following a breakthrough in discussions. Guimaraes is expected to be the fourth key player to leave Newcastle in less than a year, following Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali, and Alexander Isak.
Jaissle, who succeeded Eddie Howe, views the club's rebuild as an opportunity to start a new cycle and mould a young, hungry side. He acknowledged that "many big players left - legends of the club - but we need to see it as a chance."
Newcastle have reportedly spent around £146m this summer on goalkeepers Lukas Hornicek and Ewen Jaouen, midfielders Aladji Bamba and Sean Steur, and winger Bazoumana Toure. The club's new policy targets younger players from the Continent.
Jaissle, 38, is relishing the challenge of managing in the Premier League after successful spells in Saudi Arabia and Austria. Newcastle will begin their new campaign against Liverpool at St James' Park on 23 August.