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Newcastle boss Eddie Howe admits Anthony Gordon could play his final game for the club amid links with a summer move to Bayern Munich.
The 25-year-old England international has missed Newcastle’s last four matches, the first two with a hip flexor injury. Sky Sports News Last week it was reported that Bayern had opened talks with the club over a potential transfer.
Newcastle will listen to offers for Gordon this summer as they expect him to explore his options. He has four years remaining on his current contract and is the club’s top scorer this season with 17 goals in all competitions.
Asked if he’s looking to the future while not using Gordon, head coach Howe said Friday: “When you get to this point in the season, part of what we’ll do is look to next year, naturally, so yes.
“Anthony has just come back from injury. I think the team has played well in his absence and with a partial view of the future, yes.”
Asked if there was an update on speculation about a possible move to the Allianz Arena, Howe added: “No, nothing, no update from me. Those are discussions that are probably happening, but not with me.”
Newcastle and Bayern have a good relationship and the German champions have been monitoring Gordon since the start of the year.
Gordon’s agents have also been pictured in Barcelona but there has so far been no direct contact between Newcastle and Barca.
Relegation-threatened West Ham travel to St James’ Park on Sunday as they make a big decision for Sunday’s final Premier League game of a disappointing campaign.
Anthony Gordon celebrates after scoring for Newcastle this season against Sunderland
Brazil international Jolinton, who lined up in Gordon’s left-sided attacking berth at Nottingham Forest last weekend, is suffering from a thigh problem.
Asked if he would select Gordon if he felt the need, Howe replied: “If it’s the right thing for the team – and I put the team and the club above any individual – then of course I’ll play him.”
It will be Kieran Trippier’s last game at St James’ Park before the England full-back leaves the club before his contract expires at the end of the season.
Howe has claimed Newcastle’s summer “must be different” from their difficult transfer window 12 months ago as they look to bounce back from a potential bottom-half finish in the Premier League this season.
When asked if moving early in this summer window was a priority, Howe said: “It has to be different. I said the same thing last year this time – we have to move quickly and be dynamic.
“The best players available in the market will not last long. At the speed the market moves, the teams are very efficient and we have to be there as one of them.”
It looks set to be Newcastle’s lowest scoring all season under Howe’s management, but he said the number of forwards in the squad means summer signings in that area are not on his agenda – at least for the moment.
He said: “It’s been a challenge for us, trying to find the right balance and a way to consistently score goals and create the number of chances we want.
“We still have work to do in that area, but Yoane Wissa has had fitness issues, Will Osula has really grown up and gone into the season, Anthony Gordon has played there, Nick Oltemed has played there and done well in the first season.
“The players are there, we just have to bring it together and make it work.”
