Barcelona to pay £70m for Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon

The Story

Barcelona are paying £70m for Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon, according to a report. The 25-year-old England international is expected to bring direct and intense play to Hansi Flick’s side, though his signing carries risks due to inconsistent form and personality clashes at Newcastle.

Key Facts

• Barcelona are paying £70m for Anthony Gordon, per The Guardian.
• Gordon is a 25-year-old right-footed forward who is best on the left but can play across the frontline.
• He is described as aggressive, direct, and revels in pressing and accelerating into space.
• In the Premier League last season, Gordon scored six goals (three penalties) and two assists in 26 games for 12th-placed Newcastle.
• In the Champions League, he scored 10 goals (five penalties) and two assists in 12 appearances.
• José Mourinho, then Benfica manager, told Gordon “You are too much” after Newcastle beat Benfica 3-0 last October; Gordon scored one and created another.
• Gordon said Mourinho was his favourite manager growing up.
• Gordon was forcibly separated from Kieran Trippier after insisting on taking a penalty when Newcastle led 5-0 against Qarabag; Trippier wanted Nick Woltemade to take the kick.
• Gordon criticized teammates after a 2-1 loss to Sunderland, saying Sunderland were not a very good team and that Newcastle had a spare man but did not use it.
• Newcastle are becoming a trading club and may sell Sandro Tonali; they are close to signing Ewen Jaouen for £17m and pursuing Arthur Atta for £30-35m.

Conflicting Reports

No conflicting reports identified in the source article.

Still Unclear

The source article does not confirm whether the transfer is finalized or if Newcastle will face Uefa punishment for spending breaches.

Misconceptions

No widespread misconceptions addressed in the source article.

Key Figures

Anthony Gordon (Newcastle winger), José Mourinho (Benfica manager), Hansi Flick (Barcelona manager), Eddie Howe (Newcastle manager), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle full-back), Nick Woltemade (Newcastle player), Ross Wilson (Newcastle sporting director), Ewen Jaouen (Reims goalkeeper), Arthur Atta (Udinese midfielder).

Sources: The Guardian