Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has spoken about Anthony Gordon amid Bayern Munich's interest in the Scouser, who could be benched against West Ham
11:23, 15 May 2026Updated 11:27, 15 May 2026
Anthony Gordon is expected to leave Newcastle
Anthony Gordon is expected to leave Newcastle(Image: Getty Images)
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has hinted that Anthony Gordon could find himself on the substitutes' bench once again for the upcoming clash against West Ham.
Significant uncertainty surrounds Gordon, with Bayern Munich in active negotiations to sign the England forward, as the German club looks to complete a deal ahead of the World Cup. Newcastle insiders have played down suggestions that an agreement is already in place, insisting they will not let the forward leave on the cheap, with Liverpool having previously been linked.
Following the 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest, Howe revealed that Gordon had been dropped from the starting line-up with an eye on the future. He appeared to reaffirm this approach ahead of the home fixture against West Ham this weekend.
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Speaking at his press conference today, Howe said: "As I said earlier, I think when you get to this stage of the season, part of what we will be doing, we'll be looking to next year, naturally.
"So, yeah, I mean, Anthony's just come back from injury. I think the team has played well in his absence and with a partial view to the future, yes", reports Chronicle Live.
When pushed on whether Bayern are closing in on a deal for the former Everton man, Howe said: "No, nothing, no updates from me. These are discussions that potentially might be happening, but not with me.
"At this stage of the season, you've always got an eye on the future because the team and everything evolves so quickly.
"You're going into a summer transfer window with a lot of unknowns for us, but there will be a feeling of change this summer, I'm sure, so I think you need to give players opportunities, we need t try things, to a degree, that we're looking at for the future with a view to next season and trying to leave this season with positivity to take into the next one, so yes, there is an eye on next season."
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When asked whether Gordon would feature in the starting line-up, Howe responded: "If it's the right thing for the team. And as I say, I put the team and the club above any individual, then I would play him, of course."
It remains uncertain if Gordon has already played his final match for Newcastle, though Howe is aware that Kieran Trippier will be making his last appearance at St James' Park.
Discussing a potential send-off for the defender, Howe commented: "I think he's definitely deserving of that recognition. The actual decision to come here in the first place needs to be celebrated because he's gone from a team that was hugely successful in Spain to a team that was fighting relegation in the Premier League.
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"Everyone said it was financially motivated initially but I can tell that it wasn't. I think it was a host of reasons and only Kieran can discuss those, but certainly financial wasn't one of them. (It was) the challenge of returning to the Premier League, hopefully Jason (Tindall) and I played a part in that with our relationship, and wanting to take that fight on in his career position was probably a big risk, but he took it on and I'm so pleased for him that it was rewarded because there was no guarantee that that was going to be the case."