Newcastle ‘breathe sigh of relief’ after Anthony Gordon deal agreed
Newcastle United have struck a good deal by securing a £70million fee as part of Anthony Gordon’s transfer to Barcelona.
That is according to former Everton chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that “all parties” are happy with the deal that was agreed with the Spanish giants.
The Blaugrana moved in quickly to firm up their interest and strike a deal for the winger last week, as they beat Bayern Munich to his signature, despite the German champions being linked for several months.
Gordon ended the campaign with 17 goals to his name in all competitions, but had been making noises about a potential departure from St James’ Park of late.
Newcastle’s decision to cash in finally came last week, and Wyness has been quick to hail them for the way that they conducted their business on this occasion.
Newcastle dodge Alexander Isak repeat with Anthony Gordon
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that Newcastle will be relieved to have dodged a repeat of the Alexander Isak “drama” from last summer.
The Sweden international went on strike on Tyneside in an attempt to force through a move to Liverpool, and the Magpies ultimately succumbed to his sale after several weeks of issues.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness raised doubts as to whether Barcelona is the right move for Gordon, but added that Newcastle should be happy with their business.
“Good business for Newcastle. I think that was the right thing to do. It was done without the drama of the Isak situation, which I think every year up in the North East is breathing a sigh of relief,” he said.
“I think they knew that he was going to go. It was done quietly, quickly and at a decent price at £70m. All parties should be happy, and Gordon, in his Spanish interview, has said all the right things.
“I'm not convinced it's going to work out that well for him, but we'll see where that goes. From Newcastle's point of view, it’s good business, and I expect to see some of that money coming back in.”
This is how the Gordon money will be spent
Football Insider revealed earlier this week that Newcastle are lining up a “big-name signing” once they can get Yoane Wissa off their books.
PIF are prepared to reinvest the majority of the money from the Gordon sale straight back into the squad, and the recruitment team are already aware that a marquee signing will be needed to replace his quality.
However, any move must wait for Wissa’s future to be addressed, after an injury-hit campaign that saw him notch just one Premier League goal all season.
His £55m move from Brentford simply hasn’t worked out on any level, and the Magpies are now prepared to accept a significant loss on him this summer in order to move him on.