Anthony Gordon has confirmed discussions with Marcus Rashford following his €80 million transfer from Newcastle United to Barcelona this summer. The 25-year-old was also a target for Arsenal and Bayern Munich, but Barcelona moved quickly to secure a deal before Gordon joined up with the England squad for the upcoming World Cup.
Gordon, a product of the Everton academy, is expected to challenge Raphinha for a starting position at Camp Nou. He will become only the third English player to represent Barcelona in the modern era, following in the footsteps of Gary Lineker and Rashford, who spent the 2025-26 season on loan with the club. Rashford’s future at Barcelona remains uncertain, as the club are yet to decide whether to exercise the €30 million option-to-buy clause in his loan agreement.
Speculation had suggested a potential rift between Gordon and Rashford, given their competition for a place in the England team and Gordon’s arrival at Barcelona effectively replacing Rashford’s position. However, Gordon revealed that Rashford proactively offered advice and support. Speaking after England’s 1-0 victory over New Zealand, Gordon told talkSPORT: “He was just telling me how good the lads are there, the team spirit that they have, which I heard already from the people in Barca. So I'm really looking forward to joining up with them. He was also telling me about the city, places to live.”
Gordon described the transfer as a whirlwind but a positive experience for both him and his family, stating that this move represents the culmination of a long-held ambition. “It's been a bit of a whirlwind of two weeks, but the best two weeks I've ever had for me and my family,” he said. “I'm not satisfied at all to just play for Barcelona. I want to win everything. This is where my career begins in my mind. So I'm at the stage I always said I was going to be. Now I need to get to the next level again.” The transfer provides Barcelona with a dynamic attacking option, while Gordon gains the opportunity to compete at the highest level with one of Europe’s biggest clubs.
