Anthony Gordon has not kicked a ball for Newcastle for over a month, and the silence around his future is getting louder. Bayern München are negotiating a £75m fee for him, while Eddie Howe is also trying to keep Fabian Schär in place as Newcastle prepare for a summer that already looks tight.

Gordon's wave to the Gallowgate End after the 3-1 win over West Ham looked small at the time. In hindsight, it reads differently.

Why Gordon matters to the rebuild

Howe was careful not to treat Gordon like a done deal, saying: "It's a difficult one for me to comment on, in terms of how he should be remembered, because that's us almost saying that he is going, and there's no guarantee."

That caution fits the brief here. Newcastle want at least £75m, but the move is still not confirmed, so this is a live negotiation rather than a settled exit. Howe has also been blunt about Gordon's value: "There's no other player like him in world football, I don't think, and that's why he went for the transfer fee that he did, so obviously losing him, it was going to be very, very difficult for us to find a new team."

The numbers back up why Bayern's interest is serious. Gordon has made 12 Champions League appearances and scored 10 goals in the competition. He has also delivered 6 Premier League goals in 26 appearances, so this is not a player Newcastle can replace with a like-for-like signing on the cheap.

Why Schär still fits Howe's plans

Schär is the other half of the same summer. Howe said: "I've had a few discussions with Fabby. It is now with Ross and his agent and we hope to come to a successful conclusion." He went further too: "We want Fabian to stay. We feel he has a lot to offer. He's been unbelievable for us."

Schär himself has not sounded restless. "I have said before I feel at home here," he said. "I would be open to it of course."

That is where Newcastle's problem becomes clear. They finished 11th in the Premier League, missed Europe after Chelsea's 2-1 win over Tottenham, dropped 27 points from winning positions and conceded a league-high 20 goals in the final 15 minutes. Experience matters more when a squad has already lost that much control over games.

Howe also wants business early, with the squad due back on July 13. "We'd love to get players through the door early so they can do pre-season from day one," he said. After a difficult season, that feels less like preference and more like a warning.

The most likely read is still fairly clear. Gordon's future may fund part of the rebuild, and Schär's stay would preserve some of the spine Newcastle have leaned on. If the club get both calls right, the summer starts with fewer holes than it currently has.

FAQ

Will Anthony Gordon leave Newcastle for Bayern München this summer?

A move is being discussed, but it is not confirmed. Bayern München are negotiating a £75m fee for Gordon, while Eddie Howe has said there is no guarantee he goes. Gordon has not kicked a ball for Newcastle for over a month, and he waved to the Gallowgate End after the 3-1 win over West Ham.

Why do Newcastle want Fabian Schär to stay?

Howe wants Fabian Schär to stay because he feels the defender still has a lot to offer and has been “unbelievable” for Newcastle. Howe has also said he hopes talks with Schär’s camp reach a successful conclusion. Schär has said he feels at home at the club and is open to staying.

How badly did Newcastle's season hurt their summer transfer budget?

Newcastle finished 11th, missed out on Europe after Chelsea's 2-1 win over Tottenham, and dropped 27 points from winning positions. They also conceded a league-high 20 goals in the final 15 minutes. That has left Howe trying to balance sales, experience and a smaller budget.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →