- Newcastle United star Anthony Gordon absent against Bournemouth
- Magpies claim England international is injured
- Why Eddie Howe quote is even more significant
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe may have already confirmed that the club would sell Anthony Gordon this summer, prior to the player missing out of the matchday squad against AFC Bournemouth. At least, that certainly seems to be the case now.
It’s been another dramatic week on Tyneside with headlines coming off-the-pitch following a 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend. That result came after the derby day loss to Sunderland prior to the international break with a feeling of doom and gloom around St James’ Park at European hopes drift away.
Gordon was one of the most disappointing players at Selhurst Park. The winger looked jaded after his exploits with England and wasted some good opportunities.
Anthony Gordon transfer links grow
Many Magpies fans believe that the winger’s heart is no longer in Howe’s project and those beliefs were reinforced with transfer talk this week. The Telegraph reported that, while the player has not fallen out with the club, he is pushing for a summer exit.
Bayern Munich are believed to have a fast-growing interest in Gordon, with Premier League rivals Arsenal and Liverpool also known to be admirers. The former Everton man almost moved to Anfield in 2024.
Howe was asked about those links in his press conference on Friday. He said: “I discuss things with players all the time.
“I don’t necessarily discuss transfer speculation unless I feel it’s got to a point where I have to. After I had the chat with Sandro, I think the biggest thing I look for is the commitment to training because I think if I see the commitment to the training ground work, the player will perform.
“That will be the same with Anthony. That will be the same with every player. One thing I’m not going to do is play a player, any player, if I don’t feel they’re 100 per cent committed to the club and to its future. Because that commitment, that resolve, what the player gives the team has to be total.
“I’m not talking about Anthony here, I’m talking generally across the board. I’ve always got to do what I think is right for the team and I’ll continue to do that.”
Newcastle United fans invited to read between the lines
At the time, it appeared as if Howe was backing Gordon’s character. However, the player’s absence speaks volumes.
The club will stick to the line that the player is managing a hip-flexor niggle, and that may well be the case. However, the sceptics will rightly remember a similar injury debacle prior to selling Alexander Isak last summer.
Howe’s somewhat innocuous words on Friday now scream a hidden message. Gordon – who has missed just one Premier League fixture since the end of November – is suddenly absent after the manager said he would only pick players “100 per cent committed to the club and its future”.
Of course, there may be truth to that injury, but Howe is no fool. Newcastle fans are invited to read between the lines and doing so suggests that the manager is ready to lose Gordon this summer.
In other news, ‘Bid Submitted’: Newcastle United make offer for £70m-rated Europa League star.
