Bruno Guimaraes failed to arrive in La Manga yesterday to meet up with the Newcastle squad for a pre-season training camp but is now belatedly on his way to Spain.
Newcastle captain Guimaraes was granted an extended summer break following his participation in the World Cup with Brazil but was supposed to join his team-mates, and new boss Matthias Jaissle, yesterday.
Newcastle are said to be relaxed about the situation but it will do little to appease fans angry at Guimaraes’ eagerness to quit the Tyneside club and move to Arsenal.
The Gunners have pursued the former Lyon midfielder for much of the summer but reports on Tyneside suggest a formal club-to-club bid has yet to be made, despite suggestions the Premier League champions have successfully negotiated personal terms with the player.
Intermediaries are thought to have been involved and even though Newcastle have baulked at suggestions Arsenal were willing to offer £70million, it is believed an offer in the region of £80m would be enough to make a breakthrough.
Newcastle enduring a miserable summer
Losing Guimaraes would be another huge blow for Newcastle, although it is thought they are privately resigned to their star man moving on.
Boss Eddie Howe left the club last week while two of their most experienced players Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali have moved to Barcelona and Tottenham respectively for combined fees in the region of £170m.
In their stead, Newcastle have opted for youth in a marked shift to their transfer policy.
Hornicek is the second goalkeeper to be recruited, following Ewen Jaouen through the door.
Newcastle have also signed Bazoumana Touré, Sean Steur and Aladji Bamba since the end of last season following a disappointing 12th-placed finish in the Premier League.
Jaissle is the new man in the dugout and while he has already been working in La Manga with the players, his arrival has yet to be formally announced.
Jaissle will swap Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia for the Premier League, having twice claimed the Asian Champions League title with the Pro League club.
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