Eddie Howe tells Newcastle stars to earn new deals by ending trophy drought

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has told his big-name stars they will need to earn lucrative new contracts by ending the club’s trophy drought.

Anthony Gordon this week signed a long-term deal to cement his status as one of the leading lights at St James’ Park, and Howe is also desperate to keep record signing Alexander Isak amid speculation over his future.

The Magpies are aware that some of their biggest names are coveted by competitors, but are equally cognisant of the financial restrictions under which they are operating, and that eye-watering pay deals have an impact elsewhere.

Eddie Howe on Anthony Gordon's new deal:

"Really pleased for him and for us, it is a really smart bit of work from the club and Anthony. Now he can really focus on his season and us. He is such a talent, and we need him, this will help him get back to his best no doubt." pic.twitter.com/zLO4JHaAaz

— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) October 25, 2024

Asked how the club could convince the likes of Isak, Gordon and skipper Bruno Guimaraes of their ambition, Howe replied: “One of the challenges we have with all our best players is to continually drive the club forward.

“It’s very easy to talk about ambition, but we have to show ambition. We have to give them an environment where they feel like they’re flourishing, because the better they perform, the better we have to build the structures around them.

“I’m very aware of that and I know the club are very aware of that, because what we don’t want to be doing is disbanding our team every year.”

Newcastle have made great strides since Amanda Staveley’s Saudi-backed consortium assumed control a little more than three years ago – Guimaraes arrived in the midst of a relegation fight, while Isak and Gordon were