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Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe is urging Anthony Gordon to block out transfer noise, with Arsenal reported to be leading a group of Premier League clubs tracking the forward before the summer window, as Newcastle prepare to face Gordon’s former team Everton on Saturday.

Reports in England indicate Arsenal are assessing a move for Gordon, while Liverpool and Manchester United are also monitoring the Newcastle United attacker, whose form in Europe contrasts sharply with modest Premier League numbers during the current campaign.

Gordon has three Premier League goals and two assists this season, yet the Champions League has shown a different level, with the England international registering 10 goals and two assists across 10 appearances, giving Gordon 12 direct goal contributions in that competition alone.

Those figures mean Gordon is only the second English player to score at least 10 goals in a single Champions League season, following Harry Kane’s 11 strikes in the 2024-25 campaign, underlining why Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United are paying such close attention.

Asked about the stories linking Gordon with Arsenal and other clubs, Howe stressed there is little that can be done from his side during such a crucial spell. “I’m not sure there’s a lot I can do about that,” said Howe. “I’ve not seen the story, so it’s news to me.”

The forward’s schedule remains heavy, with domestic fixtures and European ties stacking up, and Howe is adamant mental focus must not drift. “But we’re mid-season, we’re in the middle of some of the biggest games of his career, and who knows what’s going to happen internationally with Anthony in the summer as well. He’s not got time to look left or right. He’s got to be fully focused on straight ahead and the next game, and trying to be as good as he can be.”

Newcastle United highlighted Gordon’s importance earlier this week through club channels, reflecting how central the winger has become since joining from Everton, and the build-up to facing the Merseyside side adds another layer of interest to the transfer speculation.

Gordon’s individual highlight in Europe came with four goals in the first leg at Qarabag in the play-off round, making Gordon only the second player in Champions League history to score four times in the first half of a match, after Luiz Adriano achieved the feat for Shakhtar Donetsk against BATE Borisov in October 2014.

Team objectives also remain central, with Newcastle United chasing another league double over Everton, having already beaten the Merseyside club earlier this season; it would be the sixth time Newcastle achieve a Premier League double over Everton, after doing so in 1993-94, 1995-96, 2001-02, 2020-21 and 2022-23.

Newcastle United have only completed more Premier League doubles against Tottenham, with seven such seasons recorded, although Everton did win this corresponding fixture 1-0 last season, and the last time Everton recorded back-to-back away victories at Newcastle came in the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons.

Howe also referenced the possibility of an important summer with England for Gordon, suggesting that international plans, Champions League pressure and domestic targets leave little space for thoughts about Arsenal or any future transfer decision before the season finishes.

For now, Newcastle United rely on Gordon’s goals and creativity while speculation about Arsenal and other clubs continues in the background, and Howe’s message is clear as Everton visit St James’ Park: the focus must stay on performances, results and the demanding schedule ahead.