Newcastle United could face the loss of their top scorer for a second summer in a row, with concerns now turning to whether Anthony Gordon may be allowed to leave after the Alexander Isak saga last year. Newcastle initially resisted pressure when Isak pushed for a move to Liverpool, but eventually sold him on deadline day for a British-record £125 million, leaving the club to reflect on how the situation was handled. The episode highlighted the difficulty Newcastle faced without a clear executive football structure in place, particularly in dealings with agents and in making decisive transfer decisions.
That context is important because Newcastle are now operating differently. Chief executive David Hopkinson and sporting director Ross Wilson are both in post, giving the club a stronger leadership framework than during last summer’s turmoil. The arrival of a sporting director, in particular, is seen as a major change after Newcastle were criticised for lacking that role when the Isak issue escalated.
The tone around potential player sales has also shifted. Former chief executive Darren Eales once said it would be “crazy” for Newcastle to sell their best players, but Hopkinson has taken a more pragmatic line. He said in March that the club would seek to “maximise the opportunity” and secure the best possible fee if important players were to move on this summer. That suggests Newcastle may now view major departures less as a threat and more as a chance to generate funds for reinvestment.
If Bayern Munich and Barcelona were to compete for Gordon, Newcastle would likely see that as a chance to command a significant transfer fee. Such a deal could then be used to refresh a squad that has struggled at times, rather than forcing the club into another drawn-out transfer standoff.
In recent weeks, the signs have suggested Newcastle have been preparing for the possibility of Gordon’s exit. Although he has continued training with his teammates and has been praised by head coach Eddie Howe for his professionalism, his role has become less prominent. He has been named among the substitutes in recent matches and was even left unused on the final day against Fulham, when younger players Sean Neave and Alex Murphy were brought on ahead of him.
That selection pattern has fuelled the sense that Gordon’s future may already be under quiet review. Newcastle will hope the stronger structure now in place helps them avoid another damaging summer saga, even if a high-value sale becomes unavoidable.
