Sky Sports News' North East correspondent Keith Downie provides 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 in winger Anthony Gordon. At the start of this off‑season, it is clear that the Newcastle manager finds himself at a genuine crossroads.
After four and a half seasons steering the Magpies at St James' Park, Howe has cemented his place in the club's folklore and will be remembered as one of the most successful and influential managers in its modern era. Yet the squad that lifted the club to its recent highs is undergoing a major transformation, and the rebuilding task that lies ahead this summer is substantial.
On Friday, Howe admitted that he still feels the "fire" to keep working at Newcastle, but he was careful to point out that nothing is set in stone. "There are no guarantees about my future because the forces that move clubs move very quickly," he said. He added that his primary concern is always the good of the club: "I want to serve the club and do what is right for the football side. If leaving helps the club, I will do that without hesitation – it isn’t about me.
But if I believe I am still the right person to take the club forward, which I do at the moment, I will stay and fight harder than ever. The two goals have to be aligned." Howe's personal life appears stable; his family has settled on Tyneside and he has embraced the move from the south coast.
During most of his tenure, the fans have shown him great affection, especially after the dramatic turnaround that saw Newcastle climb back into the Premier League and secure a place in the Champions League. Nevertheless, recent weeks have seen a noticeable undercurrent of dissatisfaction among sections of the fanbase. Many supporters feel the team has stalled this season, pointing to a string of lackluster performances and a 2‑1 defeat to bitter rivals Sunderland that sparked a vocal "lap of appreciation" from the crowd.
While there are understandable mitigating factors – a disastrous transfer window last summer, an unforgiving fixture list that offered no mid‑week breaks from November to the end of March, and the physical toll of a Champions League campaign – the overall sentiment is that the squad has lost some of its momentum. A fresh injection of talent and a well‑executed recruitment plan could reverse that perception. The fact that Newcastle will not be juggling the demands of the Champions League next season should give the club more breathing room to focus on rebuilding without the added strain of European fixtures.
However, the window is tight and decisive action will be required. Club CEO David Hopkinson, after a one‑to‑one lunch with Howe, has signalled that any long‑term discussions about the manager's future can be deferred for the moment. The immediate priority is to assemble a squad capable of competing for top‑four honours and to manage the financial balancing act that the previous summer's spending created. One of the most pressing questions revolves around the future of winger Anthony Gordon.
Since Howe took charge, Gordon has blossomed into an England regular, and his performances have attracted attention from clubs across Europe. The prospect of Newcastle missing out on Champions League football next term could make retaining him more difficult.
Sky Sports News reports that both Tino Livramento and Sandro Tonali are also being linked with moves away, as several clubs circle the Newcastle trio. When Newcastle sold Alexander Isak to Liverpool, they set a new Premier League record for a transfer fee.
Should a club make an official bid for Gordon, Newcastle will likely look for a comparable or higher figure – perhaps double the £40 million plus £5 million in add‑ons they paid for him in 2023, especially given that he still has four years left on his contract. Gordon is currently the third‑highest scorer in this season's Champions League, a fact that has not gone unnoticed on the continent.
Despite the speculation, the 25‑year‑old remains professional, keeping a low profile and focusing on the final six games of the season. Hopkinson has hinted that Newcastle may need to "sell to buy big" this summer, and Gordon is identified as one of the club's most valuable assets. A sale in the region of £75‑80 million would free up significant funds, allowing the club to pursue marquee signings while offsetting the £250 million outlay they made last summer on six players, including a loan.
That summer’s spending spree will inevitably shape this window. Newcastle invested heavily in Nick Woltemade (£69 million, a club‑record fee from Stuttgart) and Yoane Wissa (£55 million each), alongside Anthony Elanga, Jacob Ramsey, Malick Thiaw, and a loan fee for Aaron Ramsdale.
While Woltemade and Wissa have struggled to find consistent form – Woltemade has been deployed in midfield and Wissa is still recovering from a knee injury – the club’s hierarchy believes that adding a proven striker and a reliable goalkeeper will be essential. The failure to secure a sporting director last summer hampered the club’s recruitment, leaving Howe to shoulder much of the transfer responsibility. Missed targets included James Trafford, Hugo Ekitike, Bryan Mbeumo, Joao Pedro and Benjamin Sesko.
Howe has taken personal accountability for those missed deals, stating in a recent press conference that the signings were his responsibility and he should be judged accordingly. Some of the recent arrivals have shown promise. Thiaw, signed for £30 million from AC Milan, has adapted well, and Ramsey, who joined from Aston Villa for £43 million, has displayed flashes of brilliance despite injury setbacks.
Woltemade started brightly but was later shifted to a deeper role, sparking debate among fans about whether Howe should have altered his tactical approach to accommodate the striker’s natural strengths. Looking ahead, Newcastle’s summer priorities are clear: secure a top‑class centre‑forward and a long‑term goalkeeper. The club came close to signing James Trafford last term and may revisit a similar profile this window. While Aaron Ramsdale performed adequately on loan, he is not viewed as the permanent solution.
In summary, the upcoming transfer window will be a defining period for both Eddie Howe and Newcastle United. The club must balance the need to generate revenue through player sales – potentially letting go of Gordon, Livramento or Tonali – with the ambition to reinforce key positions. Successful navigation of this complex puzzle could see the Magpies return to the upper echelons of English football and set the stage for another Champions League campaign, while also providing Howe with the resources and squad depth needed to cement his legacy at St James' Park.