Eddie Howe advises Anthony Gordon to focus on Newcastle amid transfer speculation
Eddie Howe has delivered a clear message to Anthony Gordon: concentrate solely on Newcastle United despite mounting transfer speculation linking the forward with Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United, reports BritPanorama.
Howe addressed the transfer rumours ahead of Saturday’s fixture against Everton, Gordon’s former club. “I’m not sure there’s a lot I can do about that,” he told reporters. “I’ve not seen the story, so it’s news to me.”
Gordon, who dismissed similar speculation as “a load of rubbish” just last week, has had a modest domestic scoring record this season, netting three league goals and providing two assists. However, his performances in the European arena have been far more impressive.
In ten Champions League appearances, Gordon has registered 10 goals and two assists, placing him among the elite as only the second Englishman to reach double figures in a single campaign, following Harry Kane’s 11 goals during the 2024-25 season. His four-goal display against Qarabag in the play-off first leg highlighted his potential, making him the second player in Champions League history to score four times in a single half.
Howe emphasised that Gordon stands at a crucial juncture of his career and must maintain his focus. “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 Anthony in the summer as well,” the Newcastle boss explained. “He’s not got 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.”
Speculation is a common aspect of performance at the highest level, Howe noted, calling on players to possess the mental resilience necessary to disregard distractions.
Newcastle welcome Everton to St James’ Park on Saturday, with Gordon poised to face the team he started his professional career with. The Magpies are targeting their sixth Premier League double over the Merseyside outfit, having previously achieved the feat in several recent seasons. Only Tottenham have been defeated home and away more frequently by Newcastle, with seven such campaigns recorded.
Everton managed a 1-0 victory in this corresponding fixture last season, though they have not won consecutive away matches at Newcastle since 2012-13 and 2013-14. It remains to be seen how these dynamics will unfold as both teams strive for crucial points.
