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Liverpool sent Anthony Gordon transfer message by Eddie Howe: I'm looking at the future

11 May 2026 10:04 BST | 5 min read

Eddie Howe, Anthony Gordon, Newcastle, 2025/26

Robin Bairner

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Accredited football journalist and editor covering the game since 2006

Anthony Gordon appears increasingly likely to leave Newcastle in the summer following a statement made by manager Eddie Howe amid interest from Arsenal, Liverpool and Bayern Munich.

Howe all-but confirmed that Gordon will be leaving the club, stating that he was “looking to the future” when he left the winger on the bench against Nottingham Forest at the weekend.

Linked with a big-money move away, the 25-year-old has not played a single minute of Newcastle’s last four matches, and while he was struggling with a hip injury previously, he has been left on the bench in each of the last couple.

With the Magpies needing a goal against Forest at the weekend, Howe notably kept the forward parked on the bench, throwing on Jacob Ramsey, Harvey Barnes and Yoane Wissa instead.

Anthony Gordon and Newcastle: Is it over?

The Newcastle boss claimed the decision was primarily tactical, but he did drop a major suggestion that Gordon will be on his way.

“The team has performed well in Anthony’s absence. Obviously, we have gone with a bit more solidity with Joelinton playing wide and one winger the other side just to try and strengthen us defensively, because we weren’t happy with how we were defending. Since January, really, we have been disappointed – so a change of structure really,” he told the media.

“Ant has come back to fitness. He’s training well but, also, I’m looking at the future as well…”

Anthony Gordon, Newcastle

Howe previously said Gordon would be sidelined if he felt the player was not committed to the club.

Speaking in April, the Newcastle boss said: “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.

“Because that commitment, that resolve, what a player gives the team, has to be total.”

In the first major sign of discontent between Newcastle and the player, Gordon did not appear in the starting XI against Bournemouth the following day.

Anthony Gordon: The state of play

Gordon has hit a new high in his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) this month at €57.1 million, yet Newcastle are set to demand considerably more when they sell the former Everton man, who they signed for €45.6m in 2022.

Arsenal have been told to match Newcastle's reported €115m asking price by Geordie legend Chris Waddle, yet with the player’s future now evidently lying away from St James’ Park, that figure promises to be difficult to reach.

He has been agitating for a move for several months now, with the Gunners, Liverpool and Bayern Munich most notably interested in the winger, whose transfer saga really escalated in the middle of April when The Telegraph published a bombshell report that indicated the player believes he has “outgrown” Newcastle.

Arsenal are ready to launch a bid, eyeing Gordon to add to an English core that Mikel Arteta is desperate to build. Bayern, meanwhile, have ‘approved’ a bid for the player, who they believe can replicate the success of Michael Olise. Finally, Liverpool have tracked the player since his Everton days and are on the hunt for a left winger this summer.

Anthony Gordon transfer analysis: Liverpool come out on top of Arsenal

Liverpool failed in a move for Gordon in 2024 that the player was reportedly “desperate” to complete, and the Anfield club are his best option this summer, according to analysis from SciSports.

Its Career Advice tool breaks down the best moves for a player based on a wide variety of metrics from development and game time to style and formation. Liverpool score 77, which is a strong mark. There is a weakness in the Reds’ playing style, but moving to Anfield would be excellent for his development, SciSports reports.

Anthony Gordon, Liverpool Club Fit

Arsenal are not as good an option, the data experts report. Mikel Arteta’s side hit a score of 67. The Gunners are also excellent for development but fall down on game time and style. However, the North Londoners are likely to offload at least one of Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard this summer, which would increase Gordon’s chances of regular football, suggesting this is not as clear-cut a decision as the numbers might suggest.

Bayern, meanwhile, score 68.