‘Newcastle facing Anthony Gordon nightmare with Liverpool dealt transfer setback’
Newcastle United could face the nightmare scenario of losing Anthony Gordon this summer following the latest update in the race for Rodrygo.
The Magpies have endured a torrid transfer window so far, being beaten to the signings of Hugo Ekitike and James Trafford by Liverpool and Manchester City, respectively.
Liverpool still also hold a very concrete interest in star striker Alexander Isak, who has netted 44 goals over the last two Premier League seasons combined.
But the Reds may not be done bullying Newcastle just yet, as attention could soon turn to Gordon.
Spurs make shock Rodrygo approach
Liverpool are understood to be in the race for Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, who would be a blockbuster signing alongside existing summer arrivals Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Ekitike.
However, former Premier League chief Keith Wyness — who worked for the likes of Everton and Aston Villa — has revealed that Tottenham Hotspur have also begun shock talks with Rodrygo, looking to sneak ahead of Liverpool and Arsenal in the race for the Brazilian star.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast (30 July): “I’ve got a funny feeling that could happen. I know that Spurs have got the ability to do it cash-wise.
“This would be a real statement signing for Spurs. I know that they’ve actually started talks with Real Madrid. I don’t know how far they’ve gone, but I know there’s certainly been discussions.
“I sold a player to Real Madrid quite a long time ago, and they’re actually very easy to deal with in terms of negotiations, at least that’s what I found. They’ll have already had three or four replacements for Rodrygo in their mind. He does seem to have fallen out of favour.
“I think it could be a time where they want to maximise their valuation and spend it on new talent and refresh their squad. So there’s a chance of getting this done, and Daniel could be down there trying to get something happening.
“I think it’d be great for Spurs. I’d love to see him in the Premier League. I think with Thomas Frank as well, he’d be a great manager for him.
“The whole Spurs project is interesting. After a shaky season, I think we’re going to see a resurgence of Spurs coming back. I’m a big fan of Frank’s and how he’s going to approach things. Rodrygo would be something that would get everybody excited at the Tottenham fan base, and I think there’s a better than fair chance it could get done.”
Newcastle could lose Gordon as Liverpool seek Rodrygo alternative
Rodrygo has bagged 68 goals and 51 assists in 270 appearances since joining Real Madrid in 2019, winning 13 trophies so far. Still only 24 years old, he’s a marquee signing by anyone’s standards and one reigning Premier League champions Liverpool won’t want to miss out on.
But if they do, they appear to have a back-up target already in mind in the form of Gordon.
Despite coming through at Everton, the England winger is a boyhood Liverpool fan and is understood to be open to an Anfield move.
What’s more, Wyness actively ‘expects’ this transfer to happen regardless of the Isak situation, which would leave Eddie Howe facing an absolute crisis ahead of Newcastle’s return to the Champions League.
“I think that Eddie Howe wants that bit of stability, and I think he needs to keep some players as well, if he’s going to lose some of the top ones,” said Wyness (24 July), adding: “Another name that we’ve got to put in the frame that might be going is Anthony Gordon. I still expect him to end up at Liverpool, which would be another move down there to Anfield.“
Newcastle have managed to get Anthony Elanga through the door this summer, but his arrival would be majorly offset if they were to lose Gordon — leaving Howe having to dip into an increasingly difficult market once again.