Anthony Gordon ’50:50′ to join Newcastle United as £55m+ Everton transfer update emerges
By Mark Marston
According to the Daily Mail journalist Craig Hope, Everton ace Anthony Gordon is Newcastle United’s “top domestic target” with the likelihood of the transfer “50:50” at the moment.
The 21-year-old was subjected to interest from Chelsea last summer however their attempts to land the forward were knocked back after a £40-45million bid was rejected by the Toffees.
Newcastle United’s interest has been long-standing, according to The Athletic, with Eddie Howe’s side first expressing their interest to Everton last summer.
Hope discussed Newcastle’s stance on the England Under-21 international whilst on Sky Sports News’ Paper Talk.
As quoted on Sky Sports’ transfer blog on Thursday (26 January, 09:15am), Hope said: “I don’t think I would use confidence – but there’s a determination to get it done and when you have that, things can happen. There’s a desire from the player’s side to get this deal done, evidenced by what we’ve seen in the last couple of days with him not turning up to training.
“He’s Newcastle’s top domestic target – he is the only egg in their basket from a Premier League perspective. Eddie Howe likes him and wants him, he sees a young player he can improve.
“Anthony Gordon’s form has dropped off but if Eddie Howe rates a player, there’s a feeling of ‘In Eddie We Trust’ – especially with what he’s done with Joelinton and Miguel Almiron this season.
“Will it happen? It’s a big 50:50 at the moment. Everton will need to lower their demands, they’re quoting Newcastle between £55m and £60m at the moment. He’s just not worth that – even people in Merseyside feel that at the moment.
“But the feeling is everyone wants this deal to happen at the moment. It’s just finding that middle ground of around £40m and I think Gordon will end up at Newcastle come the end of the window.”
Gordon is the perfect fit for Newcastle
Despite Gordon’s drop in form this season, his work ethic and willingness to press ranks him among the top four per cent of wingers in the Premier League.
Gordon’s tackles per 90 minutes far outweigh Newcastle’s current shining light, Miguel Almiron which suggests he will have no issue defending from the front which is a key element of Howe’s system.
The Everton forward is naturally a left-winger, a position in which Newcastle have needed to strengthen with Joe Willock often playing there out-of-position.
Gordon is naturally two-footed which allows the tricky winger to go either way when running at the opposition full-back. He is extremely versatile and can operate on either wing which offers Howe much-needed depth across the front line.
Interestingly, buying Gordon at this time in a period where he is playing below the levels he has previously shown, may allow Newcastle to secure the deal at a cut price.
With just over five days remaining of the transfer window, Newcastle will be eager to secure their man before deadline day.