Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has revealed that Anthony Gordon’s destiny at the Premier League side will be made clear on Saturday.
FootballTransfers exclusively revealed Arsenal’s interest in the England winger at the beginning of April and now the prospect of the 25-year-old departing St James’ Park appears to be increasing, with Liverpool and Bayern Munich also harbouring hopes of signing him.
The latest reports indicate that Gordon is willing to explore his options, and Howe has revealed that Newcastle are about to reveal just how serious the former Everton player is about leaving the club.
Howe ready to drop Gordon
Howe has warned Gordon that he will be axed from the clash against Bournemouth if he feels that the player’s focus is not fully on Newcastle.
“I’m not going to play a player, any player, if I don’t feel they’re 100% committed to the club and to its future,” he told the media on Friday.
“Because that commitment, that resolve, what a player gives the team, has to be total.”
Much will be revealed about Gordon’s future by Howe’s starting XI for the weekend’s match. If the winger is not in the team, it will be another major hint that there is a serious prospect of him leaving at the end of the campaign.
Anthony Gordon: What’s the latest?
Transfer specialist David Ornstein gave a detailed update on Gordon’s plans in a Q&A session with The Athletic.
“It’s still early,” he said. “Bayern’s interest is not new and we know the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool have coveted him previously, too.
“There are plenty of suggestions around the industry that Bayern could be the direction of travel – but I imagine they would need to shift somebody because they wouldn’t want Gordon as a back-up and he won’t want to go somewhere as a back-up.
“I don’t know of him being at the top of Arsenal’s list and from what I hear a move to Liverpool is not on his or their agenda, even after the Ekitike injury. Newcastle seem open to a sale but at the right price and if the reported £80m is true, that will not be easily achieved.”
End of an era at Newcastle?
Howe also addressed speculation that Newcastle are at the end of the cycle and could make major changes in the summer, with Tino Livramento, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes all linked with a move away from St James’ Park.
“I can understand why people would look at it and say that,” he agreed.
“We’ve got a few players out of contract. Some big players who have done some amazing things for the club maybe entering the final months of their time here.
“You’ve got possibly players leaving in the summer and that natural evolution that side which happens. I can understand why ‘the end of a cycle’ may be used.
“What that looks like is unknown. It’s always unknown. To try and predict the summer transfer window is almost impossible. It’s been impossible in every window I’ve ever managed.”
Howe’s fire still burning for Newcastle
FootballTransfers understands Howe’s job is under threat, but he remains committed to the Newcastle cause.
“My fire is there. There’s loads of wood stacked up and I’m ready to put it on it,” he said.
“I just want serve the club and do what’s right for the football club. That’s always been my aim. If that’s me leaving to help the club, then of course that’s something I’ll do, I’ve got no issue doing that. It’s not about me.
“But if I believe I’m the right person to take the club forward, which I do currently right now, then I’ll do that and I’ll fight to the end. I’ll fight harder than I’ve ever fought before, but it’s about making sure that those two things are aligned.”
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