Eddie Howe issues fiery response as Arsenal linked with double Newcastle transfer raid

Arsenal are said to be interested in Newcastle duo Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali but the Magpies will fight to keep hold of both players beyond the summer transfer window

Eddie Howe has hit back at suggestions that a campaign exists to unsettle his most-valuable Newcastle stars.

Both Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali have been linked with transfers to Arsenal in recent weeks as the Gunners appear willing to strengthen both their midfield and wide options during the summer transfer window.

Gordon has been on Arsenal's radar for some time while there was talk on deadline day that the Premier League winners were interested in a sensational last-minute swoop for the Italian.

Speaking on Friday ahead of Newcastle's top-flight home fixture against Everton, Howe was asked whether he felt there was a deliberate campaign to unsettle his top stars.

He replied: “You tell me, it’s your industry that creates these stories. I'm slightly secluded from it because I don't read it. Is it not part of modern football? It [what’s written] is irrelevant really.

"It's how the players take to it. If they absorb it then it's a negative, but I think they become robust enough to ignore it and concentrate on their football.

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"We are mid-season, we are in the middle of some of the biggest games of Ant’s career and who knows what's going to happen with him internationally in the summer, so he has no time to look left or right.

"These things only come into focus when windows are open, it's the only time players should be thinking about their futures, if at all.

"Because in the mean time everything they do affects their future. I'd just encourage them to play at their best level. And I’ve been very impressed with Anthony recently.”

England international forward Gordon signed a new bumper deal at St James' Park back in October 2024 which is set to run until June 2029.

Still, that has not prevented speculation over his future as the former Everton attacker has also previously been tracked by Liverpool, who he came close to joining in the summer of 2024.

Manchester United are also thought to be keen on Tonali, whose current contract runs until the summer of 2029. Newcastle do also have a 12-month extension option they can formally trigger.

Tonali has also been linked with a return to Italy as both Juventus and former club AC Milan remain firm admirers of the 25-year-old.

The Magpies have had to box clever in recent years amid the tightening of financial regulations and captain Bruno Guimaraes has a long list of admirers, too.

Right-back Tino Livramento has also been linked with Arsenal and Manchester City, however, Newcastle are thought to be determined to keep their key stars after selling striker Alexander Isak to Liverpool last summer for an initial £125million.

The Magpies have a Champions League last 16 clash on the horizon, they also remain in the FA Cup and are competitive in the Premier League, too, as they look to drive themselves up the table.

They are 11th in the standings ahead of this weekend's action and are currently 12 points adrift of Manchester United, who occupy fourth.

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