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.