Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has dropped his strongest hint yet that star winger Anthony Gordon could be heading for the exit this summer, with Bayern Munich leading the chase for the England international.

For the second week running, Howe has fueled speculation about Gordon's future, suggesting the club is already planning for life without the 23-year-old. Despite returning to full fitness, Gordon has been notably absent from recent matchday squads—a decision that has raised eyebrows across the Premier League.

"When you get to this stage of the season, part of what we will be doing is looking to next year, naturally," Howe told reporters on Friday. "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."

The Magpies boss stopped short of confirming any active negotiations with Bayern or other European suitors, but his carefully chosen words spoke volumes. "These are discussions that potentially might be happening, but not with me," Howe added, leaving little doubt that transfer talks are underway behind the scenes.

Reports from Germany suggest Gordon has already agreed personal terms with the Bundesliga champions, with only the transfer fee standing between the two clubs and a deal. Sources indicate that negotiations are focused on finalizing a fee before the summer transfer window officially opens in mid-June.

Gordon's absence from the lineup, combined with Howe's candid acknowledgment of future planning, paints a clear picture: Newcastle are preparing for a significant departure. For a player who joined from Everton for an initial £40 million in January 2023, a move to Bayern would represent a major step up in his career—and a substantial return on investment for the Magpies.

As the season winds down, all signs point to Gordon swapping St. James' Park for the Allianz Arena. For Newcastle fans, it's a bitter pill to swallow, but in the modern transfer market, every player has their price—and Bayern seem ready to meet it.