It’s fair to say that there’s a big fear within our fanbase that this summer could see a number of top stars depart for pastures new.
After the whole Alexander Isak debacle last year, the club will want to do all they can to make sure that we head into the 2026/27 campaign in the strongest position.
But with rumours circulating surrounding the future of Tino Livramento, Sandro Tonali and Malick Thiaw, it seems inevitable that we’re set for another turbulent summer of transfer rumours.
One Newcastle star, who has been linked with a move away on previous occasions, is set to be going nowhere. But Howe has still urged the talent to keep focused on the team, and not his potential future elsewhere…
According to Sky Sports’ Keith Downie, Anthony Gordon is currently contracted for another four years, putting Newcastle in a strong position should summer bids arrive.
Writing on X, Downie noted: “Anthony Gordon’s Newcastle contract ends in 2030, meaning the player still has 4 years left on his deal.
“Newcastle agreed a “long-term extension” with the forward 16 months ago — and we can reveal that extension is a straight-contract running until 2030, when the player will be 29.
“This gives Newcastle further security, particularly when it comes to the value of the England international.”
This would take Gordon to seven and a half years on Tyneside in total, where he’s of course won the Carabao Cup, was named our Player of the Season in the 23/24 season, and is in a very good position to make the England squad for years to come.
Much like Isak last season, this gives us a good hand at the negotiating table if any rival clubs try to sign the winger, as we can probably expect to double our money on the £40m we spent to sign him from Everton due to his lengthy contract status.
But with Isak as a case study, we know just how damaging it can be to a player and their contribution to the team when the press begins to stir up speculation over a move to a perceived ‘bigger club’ like Arsenal, Liverpool or Chelsea.
When asked about the recent rumours surrounding Gordon’s future, Howe backed both him and the rest of the squad to make the right decision and stay committed to the team whilst performing to the best of their abilities.
“It’s how the players react to that. If they absorb it and it affects them, then that’s a negative. But I think our players are robust enough to ignore it. These things only come into focus when the window is open; that’s the only time a player should be thinking about their futures. In between that, everything they do affects their future, and all they can do is play at their best level, and that is what I would encourage them to do.
“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.
“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.”