Barcelona have reached an agreement with Newcastle United for the transfer of winger Anthony Gordon, according to David Ornstein. The Catalans will pay €80 million for the England international, with Newcastle retaining a sell-on clause in the deal.
Reports emerged overnight that Barcelona were pursuing Gordon, with club director Deco travelling to London for talks. Initially believed to be focused on a potential move for Chelsea’s Joao Pedro, Deco instead shifted his attention to the 25-year-old Newcastle player. Fabrizio Romano subsequently confirmed a meeting had taken place between Deco and Gordon’s representatives, with the player quickly indicating his preference for a move to the LaLiga champions.
Arsenal and Bayern Munich had also expressed strong interest in Gordon, with the latter having already agreed personal terms. However, Bayern were unwilling to meet Newcastle’s valuation, which was reported to be over €90 million. Barcelona’s offer of €80 million proved sufficient for Newcastle to accept, despite being below their initial asking price.
The move is considered somewhat surprising given Barcelona’s recent negotiations with Manchester United over Marcus Rashford, where they were attempting to secure a deal for a reported €30 million. The significantly higher fee for Gordon suggests a shift in strategy, and likely means a permanent move for Rashford is now off the table, despite the player being open to financial concessions. Barcelona viewed Gordon as a direct replacement for Rashford, whose loan deal expires on June 15th.
Barcelona are prepared to offer Gordon a five-year contract, allowing them to spread the cost of the transfer over a longer period. Gordon’s salary demands are also believed to be lower than Rashford’s, making the overall financial package comparable. The player is expected to undergo a medical before the end of the week. This transfer provides Barcelona with a dynamic winger as they look to continue their dominance in Spanish football, while Newcastle will be able to reinvest the funds received into strengthening their own squad.
