This is one of the most unexpected transfers of the summer. If FC Barcelona’s intention to recruit Julian Alvarez (Atlético de Madrid) had been known for months, observers expected that the other file of the attack concerned the future of Marcus Rashford, the English winger on loan from Manchester United and for whom a purchase option of €30 million exists. But no one saw Anthony Gordon coming. After two and a half years spent at Newcastle, the 25-year-old England international will join the Culés in exchange for €80 million (bonus included).
In Spain, there is amazement. Gordon was never mentioned as a prospect for Barça and even seemed promised to Bayern Munich. The price of the deal also surprised more than one, because football observers are still wondering how Joan Laporta’s club can afford a recruit at €80 million and still dream of enlisting Alvarez. While waiting to have the necessary clarifications on this situation, the departure of the native of Liverpool also caused a reaction in England. And very quickly, a feeling emerges: not many people seem saddened to see Gordon leave the Premier League.
A transfer that suits Newcastle
Within the Newcastle club, one fact quickly jumps out: the Toons absolutely did not fight to keep a player recruited in exchange for €45 and under contract until 2030. “If Newcastle in no way wish to part with their best players, there is however a reservation. To complete the operations they need this summer, they need to make lucrative sales and execute them intelligently; the general feeling is that the time has come for Gordon to go”writing The Athletic. Clearly, Gordon’s transfer comes at the right time for the Magpies. And the supporters in all this?
French fan page of the Tyneside club, NewcastleUtd_FR is not unhappy. “Frankly, to see but given his current level, it is the logical price, he has potential but we will not miss him. He’s been on the bench for a few games already, and the team is coping without him. He wasn’t necessarily a leader, and if we recruit well, I’m happy with the start, especially thanks to the amount he unlocks. In summary, I think it has the potential to be a win-win, depending on how the money is invested.” Another Newcastle fan account with nearly 530,000 followers, True Geordie was more cash in his show The Kick Off broadcast on YouTube.
Gordon, a player who divided Toons fans
“Have you actually seen Anthony Gordon play?” I’m not really sure. I have to admit I would have been devastated a few years ago, but I’ll be honest with Barca fans, but what do you expect with Anthony Gordon? During the 2023/2024 Premier League season, he scored 11 goals and made 10 assists (15 in reality, editor’s note). He was incredible. Since then, it has only gone down, that’s factual. Last season he scored 6 goals and 5 assists. This season it’s 6 goals and 2 assists, including three penalty goals. In the last 15 months, he has only scored 3 goals in Premier League play. The best version of Gordon was when he ran left and shot on goal. (…) At the beginning, Newcastle was considered an outsider and then the teams started to respect us. Gordon had less space so the expectations were higher in terms of technique because he couldn’t just run anymore. You have to use your brain. And that’s the problem. Gordon is a classic Eddie Howe player, an athlete, but he is not at the technical level of the top scorers in the Champions League. When you play against low blocks, that’s where he has problems. However, this is what often happens at Barça or Bayern Munich (Gordon’s other courtier)”.
In the show The S Word of TalkSporta journalist following the NUFC also made it known that Gordon has no longer found the level he had during his benchmark season with the Toons and that he has often disappointed during key moments. “Gordon is a player who divides opinion enormously. If you take a look at his stats this season, it’s 17 goals. You say to yourself: “wow, what a season!” » But most are penalties and four were scored against Qarabag in the Champions League. In the matches where Newcastle needed him, he didn’t really show up to be really honest. He was the star after Isak left (to Liverpool), he is the star of the attack. And in these matches where Newcastle dropped points against clubs they shouldn’t have faced, he never really showed himself. And lately, he’s a player that fans are pretty happy to see go. » The Blaugrana’s first summer recruit, will Anthony Gordon make his detractors lie? As a reminder, not many people saw Marcus Rashford succeeding in Catalonia…
