- FC Barcelona plot hijack for Anthony Gordon transfer
- Newcastle United winger has already praised Catalan side
- Gordon would love to play alongside two Barcelona midfielders
Newcastle United star Anthony Gordon could favour a move to FC Barcelona this summer, despite having already agreed personal terms with Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.
It seems to be only a question of when, and not if the former Everton man will leave St James’ Park this summer. Gordon is in the England squad for the World Cup, with the Three Lions beginning their preparation with a friendly against New Zealand at the start of June.
The transfer saga involving Gordon is gathering pace following the end of the Premier League season but it remains to be seen whether a deal is confirmed before the World Cup amid interest from several parties.
FC Barcelona in ‘direct talks’ with Newcastle United over Anthony Gordon
Bayern had appeared to be frontrunners to snap up Gordon and were reportedly locked in with the Magpies over negotiations to lower the £75 million asking price set by chiefs on Tyneside. That delay may have now allowed Barcelona to sneak in for a hijack.
Taking to social media on Wednesday morning, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano wrote: “Barcelona are in direct club to club talks with Newcastle for Anthony Gordon.
“The player’s keen on the move but more clubs are also on it. This was the reason of Deco’s mission to the UK, as @mundodeportivo reports. Bayern and Premier League clubs are also keen.”
Gordon still has another four years on his contract at Newcastle, giving the Magpies strong negotiating power, even if Eddie Howe seems resigned to losing the winger – Gordon wasn’t handed minutes in any of the final six league matches of the campaign.
What Gordon has already said about Barcelona in Champions League
A move to Barcelona would certainly appeal to the forward. Newcastle faced the Catalan outfit three times last season – losing 2-1 at home in the Champions League group stage, before an 8-3 aggregate defeat in the last 16.
Gordon scored his first ever Champions League goal in the first meeting against Barcelona and the club already know how highly he regards them thanks to an interview after that match.
He said: “They were the best I’ve played against in that sense of the game. To be honest, we are not used to playing against players who can keep the ball in this way.
“We played against top teams like City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, but the way they passed the ball in midfield made it very hard for us to press.”
It was Marcus Rashford who scored both of the goals for Barcelona that night, and Gordon singled out his compatriot for praise after the match. The Manchester United loan star may, of course, not be at Barcelona next season but there are other players who Gordon would love to play against.
He added: “It’s a top level. Rashford scored two goals out of nowhere. It’s got to be the same for us and take the opportunities when they’re presented to us.”
“Pedri and de Jong were fantastic. They made it really difficult for us to do our usual press, and they controlled the game.”
In other news, Newcastle United must move for ‘incredible’ winger following relegation.
