Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has addressed swirling speculation surrounding star winger Anthony Gordon, offering a firm vote of confidence in the player's commitment to the club amid reports of interest from European heavyweights.
Speaking ahead of the Magpies' trip to Nottingham Forest, Howe was quizzed on the future of the 25-year-old, who has been linked with a summer move to Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich. However, the manager made it clear that he isn't losing sleep over the chatter. "That's not something I'm involved in," Howe stated, deflecting questions about the transfer links.
The comments come after Howe previously emphasized that he won't field players who aren't fully committed to the cause—a stance that had some wondering if Gordon's place in the squad was under scrutiny. But the boss was quick to clarify: "Those comments weren't related to Anthony Gordon, they were general. I like to think I've been consistent with that in my time as manager here, and that's not going to change now."
When pressed on whether Gordon remains 100% committed, Howe didn't mince words. "Yeah. He wouldn't be in the squad if that wasn't the case. I don't judge that on communications elsewhere—I judge it on my relationship with the player and how I see them train."
Since arriving from Everton in 2023, Gordon has been nothing short of a revelation for the Tyneside club. This season alone, he's racked up an impressive 17 goals and five assists across all competitions—including a memorable four-goal haul against Qarabag in the Champions League. His blistering pace and clinical finishing have made him a fan favorite and a key cog in Howe's attacking machine.
However, a recent hip injury sidelined him for defeats to Bournemouth and Arsenal, and he was an unused substitute in the 3-1 victory over Brighton. With Newcastle's hopes of European football next season all but dashed, some pundits have speculated that the lure of Champions League action could tempt the 25-year-old to seek pastures new. But if Howe's words are anything to go by, the Magpies are holding firm—and Gordon's heart is still very much in black and white.