Newcastle have increased security over the future of Anthony Gordon, whose contract expires in 2030.
Arsenal are targeting the Newcastle forward in the summer transfer window and are hoping to sign Gordon for £75m, according to reports.
The 25-year-old is said to have only two years left on his current contract with the club, but Sky Sports News can exclusively reveal that the deal runs until 2030, when Gordon will be 29 years old.
Gordon will sign a long-term contract with Newcastle in October 2024, with four years remaining on his contract.
Ahead of Saturday’s match between Newcastle and Everton, Howe was asked about the speculation surrounding Gordon and whether it would distract him, to which he replied: “Only if you read into it (it will be a distraction for Gordon).”
“In this day and age there are always rumors and speculation.
“90 per cent you don’t see it. That comes with the realm of being a top player and you have to get it out of your head to concentrate on football.
“We don’t have time for distractions.”
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Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has insisted there is “no time for distractions” after Anthony Gordon was linked with a move to Arsenal in the summer.
Howe was then asked how the club is avoiding another transfer scandal, such as the one caused by Alexander Isak’s move to Liverpool last summer.
Howe added: “There’s not much I can do about it. It’s news to me, but we’re mid-season and in the middle of the biggest game of his career.”
“He doesn’t have time to look left or right, he has to concentrate completely on what’s ahead.
“He’s in a good place.”
Gordon previously commented on transfer rumors in early February, admitting they had been a distraction in the past.
“I’m focused on myself and the team. I’m focused right now,” he said.
“If you look too far into the future, your performance starts to suffer. And believe me, I’ve done it (before) and I’m not going to do it now.”
Is Gordon good enough for Arsenal?
Laura Hunter on Sky Sports:
This curious interest in Anthony Gordon comes at an odd time from Arsenal’s point of view. Could a player like Gordon, who has scored one Premier League goal in open games all season, actually offer Mikel Arteta something different to what he already has?
Perhaps it’s the versatility, with the option to use him centrally not just out wide but also as a false number nine. But paying £75m for a utility player who has proven less clinical than most of the Gunners’ current attacking options in the league is a hefty price to pay. If everyone is healthy, will he be in the starting lineup? I don’t know if he will.
If Gordon’s so-called ‘rich form’ has anything to do with the four goals he scored against Qarabag, then that doesn’t make him much worth £75m, but miraculously he still underperformed against shots on target xG in that game.
Anthony Gordon’s attacking statistics among Premier League players
That’s the problem, really. Gordon is not and never has been a reliable goal source. In terms of creation, he has provided as many assists in the Premier League as Dan Byrne this year.
He has made a lot of contributions in cup competitions so far this term, but mostly against lower-ranked opponents. The second half of the Champions League will be a good test of his mettle against Europe’s best defenders, but his injury record has also not been great.
His consistency will need to be better to play for an elite team in the Premier League, especially one like Arsenal, and the evidence suggests the Everton graduate is still a few percentile short.
A matchup against Merseyside rivals Liverpool could improve their chances of long-term success. Arne Slott’s side lack a creative talent on the left, like Luis Diaz, who can reinvigorate the attack with some pace. But then again, is Gordon really at that level right now?
