Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has delivered a spiky and dismissive response to mounting transfer rumours surrounding star forward Anthony Gordon, who has been linked with Premier League giants Arsenal and Manchester United. Howe labelled the speculation as 'irrelevant' and emphasised the need for focus during a critical mid-season period.
Howe's Firm Stance on Transfer Talk
In a press conference ahead of Newcastle's upcoming clash against Everton, Gordon's former club, Howe addressed the reports head-on. He admitted that while he is largely unaware of the specific stories, he believes such talk is an inevitable part of modern football.
'I'm not sure there's a lot I can do about that,' Howe stated. 'I've not seen the story, so it's news to me. But we're mid-season, we're in the middle of some of the biggest games of his career and who knows what's going to happen internationally with him in the summer as well.'
Focus on Performance Over Distractions
Howe stressed that Gordon must remain fully concentrated on his football, especially with a packed schedule and potential international duties on the horizon. He praised the player's recent form, particularly in a central attacking role, and urged him to continue that momentum.
'He's got no time to look left or right, he's got to be fully focused on straight ahead and the next game and trying to be as good as he can be,' Howe added. 'I've been really impressed with him the last few weeks, I think he's been in a good place. Playing in a central position, I think he's done really well and we want him to continue that good form.'
Managing Player Psychology Amid Speculation
When questioned about whether the transfer rumours could affect Gordon's performance, Howe acknowledged the potential impact but expressed confidence in the player's resilience. He noted that top players must develop robustness to ignore external noise.
'Only if he reads it, I suppose,' Howe remarked. 'In this age there's always rumour and speculation. I don't see probably 90 per cent of it, I'm sure the players probably see more than I do. But I think it comes with the territory of being a top player and playing at this level, that there's going to be speculation.'
Howe further elaborated that distractions are untenable given Newcastle's demanding fixture list, requiring absolute focus on each match. He reiterated that transfer talk should only become relevant during open windows, not mid-season.
Gordon's Current Situation and Contract
Anthony Gordon, aged 25, transferred from Everton to Newcastle in 2023 and has since made 144 appearances across all competitions, scoring 36 goals. He remains under contract with the Magpies until 2030, providing the club with significant leverage amid the swirling rumours.
Howe concluded by reinforcing his message: 'I think it's irrelevant really. It's how the players take to that. If the players absorb it and it affects them then of course that's a negative. But I think they will become robust enough to ignore it and concentrate on playing.'
This strong rebuttal from Howe underscores Newcastle's intent to retain key assets and maintain squad stability as they navigate a challenging Premier League season.
