5 hours ago
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Ciaran Kelly, Newcastle United reporter
There is the very real prospect that Newcastle could end up losing their top-scorer for the second summer running.
So, have lessons been learned from the damaging Alexander Isak saga?
Newcastle initially held firm after Isak pushed to join Liverpool but the club ultimately buckled and sold the striker for a British-record £125m on deadline day.
In contrast to last summer, though, when Newcastle operated without an executive structure, the club now have a chief executive, Hopkinson, and sporting director, Ross Wilson, firmly in place.
The absence of a sporting director in particular was felt when it came to handling the Isak situation and dealing with agents.
There has since been a shift in tone and approach.
Former chief executive Darren Eales previously said it would be "crazy" for Newcastle to sell their best players but Hopkinson has struck a slightly different note.
The Canadian said last March the club would look to "maximise the opportunity" and extract the best possible price if individuals were to move on this summer.
So, rather than Newcastle looking over their shoulder, the prospect of Bayern and Barcelona going head to head will be viewed as a potential opportunity to secure a substantial sum to reinvest and refresh a floundering side.
In truth, it has felt like the club have been preparing for Gordon's potential departure for a while now.
Although Gordon has continued to train with his team-mates – his attitude has been praised by head coach Howe – he has had to make do with a place on the bench in recent weeks.
Youngsters Sean Neave and Alex Murphy even came on ahead of the unused substitute against Fulham on the final day, which was rather telling.
