'I don't see Gordon as a £100m player'published at 09:44 BST 16 April
09:44 BST 16 April
Former Newcastle defender John Anderson believes Anthony Gordon is not worth £100m but says "it's about what you can get for him" if the winger does decide he wants to leave the club.
Anderson told BBC Radio Newcastle: "I don't see how Bayern Munich would be able to afford Anthony Gordon. He's worth more than £50-55m that's for sure.
"The one thing you don't want is another Alexander Isak situation where if a player wants to go and it drags on and on, that's not beneficial for anybody because we saw what happened in that window.
"Everything was up in the air then all of a sudden you're chasing around looking for players, everything was last-ditch.
"There has been an awful lot of speculation about Gordon. I don't see him as a £100m player but it's [about] what you can get for him."
Magpies want more from Woltemadepublished at 08:56 BST 16 April
08:56 BST 16 April
Ciaran Kelly Newcastle United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
William Osula's recall against Crystal Palace was the latest twist in Newcastle's search for a lasting solution up front - seven months after Alexander Isak's painful exit.
The club were going to struggle to find a like-for-like replacement for Isak after he pushed to join Liverpool for a British record £125m.
It was viewed as an "impossible" task internally.
But Howe sought to bring in two strikers to share the load after Callum Wilson also moved on.
There was recognition that Nick Woltemade previously had eyes for Bayern Munich and that Newcastle had targeted other centre-forwards after failing with moves for Joao Pedro, Hugo Ekitike and Benjamin Sesko.
Yet it felt like this £69m deal happened for a reason after Woltemade scored five goals in his first six starts for Newcastle.
Woltemade still boasts one of the best shot conversion rates (23%) of those players with at least 30 efforts in the Premier League this season.
However, in the absence of injured captain Bruno Guimaraes, the technical Woltemade has curiously been used more often in the middle of the park of late.
It had been a frustration of the coaching staff that they did not have more time to bring out aspects of Woltemade's game in the final third.
They certainly will in the coming weeks as a relentless schedule eases.
But Howe's creaking system has historically relied on a rapid striker who can get in behind - and also lead the press.
As much as Woltemade has had to adapt to a new style and a more intense, physical league following his move from Stuttgart, Newcastle must play to his strengths too.
Meanwhile Chelsea and Newcastle are among the clubs set to battle it out for German defender Karim Coulibaly, 18, after an impressive breakthrough season with Werder Bremen. (Bild - in German, external)
Newcastle are prepared to bid again for centre-back Ousmane Diomande in the summer. The Magpies showed interest in the 22-year-old Ivory Coast international in January, but Sporting won't accept a fee less than £40m. (Football Insider, external)
Newcastle 'will consider offers for Gordon'published at 17:33 BST 15 April
17:33 BST 15 April
Sami Mokbel Senior football correspondent
Image source, Getty Images
It's a big summer for Anthony Gordon. For the time being, the Newcastle attacker's focus will be fixed on trying to help his club out of their meandering form.
But there is also a looming World Cup, in which the winger hopes to play a major part for England.
Meanwhile, Gordon's future is set to be one of the most prevalent narratives of the summer transfer window.
It is understood that Gordon is one of a number players Newcastle will listen to offers for at the end of the season.
As outlined by BBC Sport last week, the club will need to sell at least one of their crown jewels in order to give head coach Eddie Howe funds to strengthen his squad if they miss out on European football.
Gordon is one of five players - along with Tino Livramento, Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Lewis Hall - who would probably command the highest transfer fee.
Sensing an opportunity, it is understood Bayern Munich have accelerated their interest in the winger in recent weeks.
Well-placed sources indicate the player is aware that the Bundesliga champions admire his abilities. And as things stand, he is understood to be open to considering a move to Germany.
Bayern are an attractive proposition. They pay well and offer a near-cast iron guarantee of competing for major trophies every season. And they would provide the chance for Gordon to team up at club level with England captain Harry Kane.
But as Luis Diaz appears to have the left-wing role locked in at Bayern, it would be interesting to see how regularly Gordon would play at the Allianz Arena.
And while sources are indicating that a move to Germany has a good chance of happening in the coming months, there are obvious obstacles that need to be cleared – namely the transfer fee.
Newcastle are in a relatively strong position to command a minimum of £70m for Gordon this summer. They signed him from Everton for £45m three years ago, although the following season he was offered to Liverpool by Newcastle.
He still has four years on his contract, so Newcastle have leverage - though finances are tight at St James' Park because of profit and sustainability rules, and Bayern will know that.
All that said, Bayern are unlikely to be the only club at the table for Gordon.
Arsenal have a long-term interest and considered making an offer in the summer of 2024. It is understood the Gunners' interest still stands, and that they are in the market for a left-winger again this summer.
The level of Arsenal's interest in Gordon will depend on the price, with the Premier League leaders set to take a more balanced approach to the summer window while they have other targets too.
'A fresh pair of eyes might see things a little differently'published at 13:48 BST 15 April
13:48 BST 15 April
Media caption,
Former Newcastle defender John Anderson believes additions to the club's coaching staff, as well as the playing squad, could help the Magpies kick on next season.
Anderson told BBC Radio Newcastle: "Players become stale doing the same things week in, week out.
"Sir Alex Ferguson was very set in his ways and old-school, but he knew the game was moving forward, so every couple of years he would bring someone in with fresh ideas to keep players evolving.
"I think he [manager Eddie Howe] needs to bring somebody in with newer ideas and that's nothing against his training regime - just players like something different.
"You look at Eddie Howe's backroom staff and they've all been with him for an awful lot of years. They were all with him at Bournemouth.
"I just think sometimes you need a fresh pair of eyes as well. They all see things in a similar fashion. A fresh pair of eyes might see things a little differently.
"Freshening up not just the playing side of it, but the coaching side of it as well, may well help."
Click above to hear the discussion with Anderson and the Guardian's Louise Taylor, or listen on BBC Sounds
Man City v Arsenal: Who do you want to win?published at 07:18 BST 15 April
07:18 BST 15 April
Image source, Getty Images
Two Premier League heavyweights are set to face each other this weekend at Etihad Stadium, as Manchester City host Arsenal.
Both teams go into the fixture with different targets. For Mikel Arteta's side, it is about extending their lead at the top of the table. For Pep Guardiola's side, it is about closing the gap and keeping themselves in the title race.
It is a fixture being labelled a title decider by some, so we want to know who you want to win this Sunday's match.
Will you be cheering on the Citizens or getting behind the Gunners?
Newcastle hold off 'serious competition' to sign Martinezpublished at 15:20 BST 14 April
15:20 BST 14 April
Ciaran Kelly Newcastle United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
Newcastle United have held off "serious competition from leading clubs across Europe" to sign 16-year-old winger Johan Martinez.
The Ecuadorian will officially join the club from Independiente del Valle in the summer of 2027 following his 18th birthday.
Martinez, who is currently preparing to face Argentina in the semi-finals of the South American under-17 championships, will remain in his homeland until then.
The move marks a shift in global strategy for Newcastle as the club's recruitment network continues to widen after the appointment of sporting director Ross Wilson last summer.
"We're delighted to beat off serious competition from leading clubs across Europe to bring Johan to Newcastle United," he said.
"Identifying and recruiting promising young players is a key part of how we build for the future, and our scouting and recruitment teams have worked diligently to secure Johan's signature.
"Independiente del Valle have a strong reputation for developing young players and Johan has undoubtedly benefited from that environment.
"He will continue his progress there while we maintain a close connection with his development, and we look forward to welcoming him to Newcastle next year."
'I can't work out the motivation behind so many of our issues'published at 12:12 BST 14 April
12:12 BST 14 April
Charlotte Robson Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Full disclosure: below I do not waste words litigating the future of Eddie Howe at Newcastle. Not specifically. Not today.
I want to talk about mentality. The dictionary says mentality refers to a person's or group's particular attitude, mindset, or way of thinking. I've had it rattling around in my head since the weekend and the loss away at Crystal Palace.
I'm a curious person. Some might say deeply nosy, but I'm going with curious. I want to know what's going on in people's heads. I want to know why Anthony Gordon starts runs and then seems to think better of it and slows down. Is it as simple as wanting to be fit for the World Cup?
I want to know why Newcastle United as a group have dropped 25 points from leading positions this season. I want to know why, after three weeks away from the Premier League and a reasonable amount of time on the training ground (albeit not with all players the entire time) we were unable, as fans, to point to anything at Selhurst Park and say: "They've been working on that. That has improved."
I want to know why Joelinton even gets picked if the yellow cards reset after Crystal Palace and Jacob Ramsey is fit. I want to know why substitutions are made after we concede, after the opposition grows into the game, after they make their own changes.
The weekend frustrated me as a Newcastle fan, because I can't work out the motivation behind so many of our issues. I can't work out if the players are playing for themselves, or the team, or the manager. I think that's a problem. I think it's a problem that we gift teams points. I think it's a problem that European football next season seems out of reach.
I don't know what the answers to all our problems are, but we need to find them this summer.
Howe 'deserves another go' - Andersonpublished at 11:52 BST 14 April
11:52 BST 14 April
Image source, Getty Images
Former Newcastle defender John Anderson believes no other manager could have done a better job than Eddie Howe since he joined the club and "deserves another go" beyond the end of this season, despite the club being 14th in the Premier League with six games to go.
It is unlikely that Newcastle will return to Champions League action next season and qualifying for any European competition will be a challenge.
Anderson, speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle, said: "There's six games of the season left. We said before the Crystal Palace game that they were a big seven games for the manager. And these are a big six games.
"Nothing will be done between now and the end of the season. They'll sit down, they'll review the whole season, the way things have gone and then make a decision on what they're going to do.
"I've said many a time on here in the four and a bit years that Eddie Howe has been here, I don't care who the manager would have been, all these named managers and great managers, do I think any of them could have come in and done a better job than what Eddie Howe has done in the time he's been here? No, I don't think so.
"But managers are judged on recent results, not on what they've done in the past."
He added: "I've seen a lot of stuff and spoken to people who think Eddie Howe has done as well as he can do and taken us as far as he can go. We've heard it so many times about different managers.
"I think he deserves another go at it, I really do. But that's my opinion and people are entitled to their opinion. But I think this summer is absolutely massive because I think a refresh is needed. I think it has all gone a little bit stale."
Gossip: Howe still involved in transfer plans despite uncertain futurepublished at 08:02 BST 14 April
08:02 BST 14 April
Newcastle's hierarchy are continuing to include boss Eddie Howe in discussions on transfer plans for the summer despite uncertainty over his future at St James' Park for the first time. (The I), external
Arsenal and Chelsea are leading the chase to sign Newcastle's Lewis Hall, 21, but the Magpies will not let the left-back leave easily. (Caught Offside)
Fans back Howe to stay in charge - but not by muchpublished at 19:08 BST 13 April
19:08 BST 13 April
Image source, Getty Images
Earlier on Monday we asked you whether Newcastle should stick with Eddie Howe next season, amid increased scrutiny surrounding his future following Sunday's defeat at Crystal Palace.
You have come out in support for Howe staying as Magpies boss - but not by a lot.
As of Monday evening, 40% of you said Howe should stay as Newcastle boss, 33% of you said the club needs a fresh outlook and 27% of you went for the middle option of maybe and he should be given a chance to rebuild.
The club's season is in danger of petering out, with Sunday's defeat leaving them 14th in the Premier League and the fading hope of a European push the only thing left to fight for.
The results of our poll are in full below
Yes - he has brought us success already - 40%
Maybe - he should be given the opportunity to rebuild - 27%
Palace result 'damaging' - Andersonpublished at 15:12 BST 13 April
15:12 BST 13 April
Image source, Getty Images
Former Newcastle defender John Anderson says Sunday's defeat at Crystal Palace has made things "an awful lot more difficult" for head coach Eddie Howe.
The Magpies conceded twice in the final 10 minutes to fall to 14th in the Premier League, making a late push for Europe seem more unlikely.
"It's not about performances, it's about results and this result is damaging, there's no doubt about it," Anderson told BBC Radio Newcastle's Total Sport after the match.
"It's definitely not the result or performance Eddie Howe was looking for. It looked like it would finish 1-0 so the late turnaround is hard to take. But that's football. You have to keep working and doing the right things. We didn't do that today, we gave away a silly penalty and defended better at the end.
"These last seven games was a mini-league and it's a bad start. Yet again, we can't keep clean sheets. We were a team who were built on keeping clean sheets and not giving goals away and now we're finding it so hard to keep the opposition out.
"You've got to reset, prepare for Bournemouth next week, and you have to go again.
"This result has made things an awful lot more difficult."
Crystal Palace 2-1 Newcastle - the fans' verdictpublished at 12:29 BST 13 April
12:29 BST 13 April
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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between Crystal Palace and Newcastle.
Here are some of your comments:
Crystal Palace fans
Peter: Thought Jean-Philippe Mateta was back to his best, so heartiest congrats to him. Oliver Glasner made the right changes on the hour mark, and it was most definitely a change to get a result after a European game previously. COYP.
Lee: After a great start to the season, I began to wonder how we could stretch those good results out. But like every team in this league, you have your purple patches and your lean spells. It feels a bit like last season again – that belief is back. So I'm just going to celebrate and dance to my Glitch Disco remix!
Rich: Previously been critical of Glasner's substitutions, but against Newcastle he got them spot on. Mateta, Adam Wharton, Daichi Kamada and Ismaila Sarr gave the side renewed energy and impetus and made it look like Newcastle were the team that had just played on Thursday evening. Fully deserved three points in front of a raucous crowd at the end.
Steve: Credit to Palace for a battling performance. So encouraging to see the team fight back from a losing position. The substitutions made such a big difference, and Mateta was like the Mateta of old. The run-in to the end of the season is looking so much brighter now.
Newcastle fans
Ritchie: Three weeks, no game, no change. The team is not a happy, harmonious team, they're not playing for Howe. Howe out, sorry. The game was insipid, pathetic, boring. We spent too much time passing backwards and sideways with zero intent. Another weekend spoiled. Feel sorry for the fans travelling to watch such dross.
Chris: Same old, same old this season. Can't blame fixture congestion for this one, and Howe has been given time on the training ground. Palace, on the other hand, played Thursday night. Poor in-game management to blame. With no mid-week fixture to consider, there is no excuse not to make subs early in the second half to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Management appear incapable of making proactive changes. Howe should have been replacing his assistants the past couple of years to keep things fresh, his loyalty will be his downfall. Such a shame if a club legend's time will end this way.
Adie: That game was just a tale of our season. Take the lead, concede and then go on to lose. Rinse and repeat. Big summer coming.
Lee: That game our season in a nutshell - take the lead and then meekly give up. Sad to say but Eddie's time has come - excuse after excuse all season and we're going to do well to end up in the top half, never mind Europe. He'll go down as a legend but his goose is cooked.
Trophy success 'doesn't shield a manager forever'published at 09:32 BST 13 April
09:32 BST 13 April
Image source, Getty Images
The Telegraph's Luke Edwards believes Newcastle United "will not get a better manager" than Eddie Howe, but admits there have been "so many disappointments" this season after dropping more points against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.
The Magpies have dropped 25 points from winning positions in the Premier League this season - five more than any other side. If they had kept hold of those points, they would be second in the table.
"We have reached the point where it's about a pain threshold and a tolerance level," Edwards told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily. "If you're a Newcastle supporter, it's about how much more you can take.
"This season is certainly on the brink of a real spectacular implosion after another hugely disappointing result at the weekend.
"It was the same sort of failings in terms of them not being able to hold on to a lead, not seeming to know how to play with a lead, and then buckling under pressure late on.
"This season is almost at the point of being written off for Newcastle. It's got to a point where either you believe Eddie Howe is the right man to lead the rebuild or you are calling for him to go.
"You can lay the blame at the manager's door, but he is the most successful manager in the club's history so I would certainly back him. I don't think they will get a better manager.
"He is the most successful manager in the club's modern history. He has outperformed Sir Bobby Robson and Kevin Keegan, but I get that doesn't shield a manager forever.
"I'm not a supporter and I'm not paying money to watch this team. It's up to the supporters if they can tolerate this.
"It's a difficult situation because the club have punched above their weight for four years to get into the Champions League twice and win a domestic trophy. They have been the Premier League disruptors, alongside Aston Villa, but it's so hard to do that consistently."
'I'm number one accountable' - Howepublished at 09:18 BST 13 April
09:18 BST 13 April
Ciaran Kelly Newcastle United reporter
Image source, Getty Images
It does not look like it is about to get any easier for Newcastle.
Eddie Howe has fond memories from his time at Bournemouth, but his former club will sense a huge opportunity to extend their unbeaten run when they visit St James' Park next week.
Then Newcastle go to league leaders Arsenal before potentially sticky games against Brighton, Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Fulham.
It feels like the club are rapidly approaching a crossroads and Howe recognised, himself, this week that it was "very difficult" to look beyond the run-in.
It sounds like he is about to double down.
"A couple of games ago we beat Chelsea away and beat Manchester United and you sit here off the back of a disappointing run and the outside noise is to change everything," he added.
"Sometimes you have got to believe in what you do but, of course, we have to execute it better."
Although a number of Howe's players were away on international duty for most of the gap between games, these past few days still felt like the ideal period for the squad to regroup.
Not least when they were facing a Crystal Palace side who had only played in Europe on Thursday and benched key players such as Adam Wharton, Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta, who ended up turning the game on its head during a match-winning cameo.
However, on this evidence, there is little to suggest Newcastle are about to finally go on a run and qualify for Europe.
"I always have to look at myself first," Howe said. "I always say that. I'm number one accountable."
Gossip: Newcastle eye summer move for Ugartepublished at 07:55 BST 13 April
07:55 BST 13 April
Newcastle United want to bolster their midfield options this summer and have identified Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte, 25, as a top target. (Football Insider, external)
Analysis: Bruising defeat for Howepublished at 20:32 BST 12 April
20:32 BST 12 April
Ciaran Kelly Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
This was another damaging afternoon for Eddie Howe.
The Newcastle head coach spoke passionately before the game about how his side had to earn back the trust of supporters after a painful derby defeat by Sunderland left the Magpies languishing in the bottom half.
Howe made six changes to his starting line-up at Selhurst Park in an attempt to jolt his side as he boldly selected William Osula up front and left the majority of his summer signings on the bench, including forwards Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa.
The Danish forward ended up repaying the head coach's faith with a goal on his first league start since August.
But it was a case of same old story from Newcastle overall in an oddly flat display.
Howe and his staff spent much of the international break going into "analytical mode" about his side's recurring issues, having the luxury of extra training time with the players.
Yet once again this leaky side threw away three precious points in the second half.
Their failure to control games has been a constant and it is hard to see Newcastle rallying to mount a late push for Europe.
They are where they are for a reason as Howe's future comes under increased scrutiny.
