Sky Sports News' North East correspondent Keith Downie delivers the most recent update on Eddie Howe's standing at Newcastle United, the club's priorities for the upcoming summer transfer window, and the growing interest surrounding winger Anthony Gordon. At present, the Newcastle manager appears to be standing at a decisive crossroads.
After more than four and a half years in charge at St James' Park, Howe has etched his name into the fabric of the club's history and will be remembered as one of the most influential figures to have ever guided the Magpies. Yet the squad is undergoing a substantial transformation, and the rebuilding task that lies ahead this summer is anything but trivial. On Friday, Howe affirmed that he still possesses the "fire" to continue his tenure at Newcastle, but he was quick to point out that nothing is set in stone.
"There is no guarantee about my future," he said, adding that "the forces that move clubs move quickly". He went on to explain his philosophy: "I just want to serve the club and do what is right for the football side. That has always been my aim. If stepping aside helps the club, I will do it without hesitation – it is not about me.
But if I believe I am still the right person to take the club forward, which I do at this moment, then I will fight harder than ever to make that happen. It all comes down to aligning my ambition with the club's needs." Howe's family have settled comfortably on Tyneside, and the manager has embraced the move from the south coast with composure.
Throughout most of his spell, the supporters have shown him great affection, praising the progress the team has made under his guidance. Nevertheless, recent weeks have seen a noticeable undercurrent of dissatisfaction among a segment of the fan base. Many supporters feel that the team has regressed this season, a sentiment that was made starkly evident after the 2-1 defeat to arch‑rivals Sunderland, when a group of fans staged a "lap of appreciation" protest. While there are understandable mitigating factors – a disastrous transfer window last summer and a grueling fixture list that left the side without a mid‑week break from November to the end of March – a sense of stagnation has begun to creep in.
A fresh injection of talent and shrewd recruitment could easily reverse that perception. The fact that Newcastle will not be competing in the Champions League next season reduces the intensity of the schedule and could give the manager more freedom to implement his ideas, but the window for action is narrow and decisive. Club chief executive David Hopkinson, after a one‑to‑one lunch with Howe, indicated that any long‑term discussions about the manager's future can be tabled for the moment.
The immediate priority is to address the transfer business, which will inevitably shape Howe's next chapter at the club. One of the biggest stories surrounding the window is the potential departure of Anthony Gordon. The 25‑year‑old winger has blossomed into an England regular since Howe took charge, and the prospect of missing out on Champions League football this season makes it harder for Newcastle to retain him. Sky Sports News also reports that Tino Livramento and Sandro Tonali are attracting interest from other clubs, suggesting that a trio of key assets could be on the move.
When Newcastle sold Alexander Isak to Liverpool for a Premier League record fee, they set a precedent for commanding high prices. Should a club make a formal approach for Gordon, the Magpies would likely seek a fee that at least doubles the £40 million plus £5 million in add‑ons they paid for him in 2023. With four years remaining on his contract, Newcastle are in a strong negotiating position.
Gordon is currently the third‑highest scorer in the Champions League this season, a statistic that has not gone unnoticed on the continent. Despite the speculation, Gordon remains professional and has kept a low profile, focusing on the final six games of the campaign. Hopkinson has hinted that Newcastle may need to "sell to buy big" this summer, and Gordon represents one of the club's most valuable assets.
A sale in the region of £75‑80 million would provide the financial flexibility required to pursue new signings, especially after the club's recent £250 million spending spree. Indeed, the club's recent outlay could become a burden if not balanced by player sales. The summer window may see as many as eight departures and arrivals, making it one of the most complex transfer periods in recent memory for Newcastle.
The Magpies' primary targets this window are a new striker and a goalkeeper. The £125 million investment in Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa last summer has not yielded the expected returns. While both players will benefit from a full pre‑season, there is a growing consensus among the club hierarchy that an additional striker could lift the side's attacking potency. Wissa is still recovering from a knee injury sustained in September, and Woltemade has been deployed more often in midfield by Howe, despite being signed as a forward for a club‑record £69 million from Stuttgart.
Both Woltemade and Wissa were on the bench during the 2‑1 loss to Crystal Palace, a tactical decision that seemed to signal Howe's preference for Will Osula as the focal point of the attack. A successful World Cup campaign for Woltemade could raise his profile and benefit all parties involved.
Goalkeeper recruitment is also on the agenda. Aaron Ramsdale, on loan from Southampton, has performed adequately but is not seen as a long‑term solution. Newcastle came close to securing James Trafford last summer, and a similar pursuit for a goalkeeper of his calibre is expected this window. Last summer's spending was staggering: a club‑record £69 million for Woltemade, £55 million each for Wissa and Anthony Elanga, £43 million for Jacob Ramsey, £30 million for Malick Thiaw, and a £4 million loan fee for Ramsdale.
Such expenditures will inevitably impact future windows unless the club can offset them with strategic sales. Compounding the challenge, Howe entered the previous summer's window without a sporting director, which hampered the club's ability to secure its top targets. Missed opportunities included James Trafford, Hugo Ekitike, Bryan Mbeumo, Joao Pedro, and Benjamin Sesko. Howe took responsibility for those failed signings, stating in a recent press conference that they were his decisions and he should be judged accordingly.
Some of the recent acquisitions have shown promise. Thiaw's £30 million move from AC Milan appears to be paying dividends, and Jacob Ramsey has impressed after his transfer from Aston Villa, despite a season disrupted by injuries. Woltemade started brightly but was later shifted into midfield when it was felt he did not fit the team's style.
Fans have debated whether Howe should have altered his tactics to accommodate Woltemade as a striker rather than pushing him back into midfield. Neither Wissa nor Elanga have fully lived up to expectations yet, but a full pre‑season could see both players improve significantly. Had any of them replicated the impact of Alexander Isak, who arrived from Real Sociedad in 2022 and quickly became a key figure, Newcastle might be contending for a Champions League spot again.
The overarching reality is that Newcastle must balance incoming and outgoing transfers. Even if it means parting with Tonali, Gordon or Livramento, the club will need to generate funds to meet its ambitions. The summer window will be decisive for Eddie Howe's future and for Newcastle United's trajectory in the coming seasons.