- Newcastle United confirm the sale of Anthony Gordon
- Winger completed blockbuster move to Barcelona
- Magpies to bank reported £69.3 million from transfer
Newcastle United have confirmed the sale of winger Anthony Gordon to FC Barcelona for a reported £69.3 million fee in the first piece of major summer business.
The 25-year-old has agreed a five-year contract with the La Liga giants and will go into the books as the Magpies’ second biggest ever sale, only behind the £125 million received for Alexander Isak from Liverpool last summer.
Gordon ends a three-and-a-half-year stay at St James’ Park, having first arrived from Everton for £45 million in January 2023. The winger has gone on to make 152 appearances for the club, scoring 39 goals and registering 28 assists.
Barcelona confirm purchase of Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United
Barcelona confirmed the signing of Gordon at 8 pm on Friday night. A short message on the club social media read: “A new force joins our rhythm. Anthony Gordon is culer.”
A statement from Newcastle United read: “Anthony Gordon has signed for La Liga champions Barcelona for a significant undisclosed fee.
“Thank you for everything, @anthonygordon. Wishing you all the very best for the future.”
Gordon told the club in a parting message: “I owe this club a lot because, when I arrived, I was quite lost both in life and and in football. The club has given me a sense of belonging and a sense of identity. It’s allowed me to do what I always thought I could do. It’s put me on the biggest stage and allowed me to perform for the shirt.”
Barcelona had been expected to confirm the transfer at 1 pm on Friday, but the unveiling was pushed back with the final paperwork causing a delay. Gordon is said to have been left waiting in his hotel as the final steps of the transfer were finalised.
The £69.3 million spent on Gordon is the fifth biggest outlay from Barcelona and beats the £65 million splurged on Luis Suarez from Liverpool in 2014. The record Barcelona spend remains £146 million for Philippe Coutinho from the Reds in 2018.
Gordon completes Barcelona move despite Bayern Munich agreement
Gordon leaves St James’ Park as a hero, having played a key role in winning the Carabao Cup last year. The player managed 17 goals and five assists this season, despite an underwhelming campaign for Eddie Howe’s side.
The winger departs with the well-wishes of the club, despite being frozen out of the final four Premier League matches by Howe. Gordon was an unused substitute against Brighton, Nottingham Forest, West Ham and Fulham.
The Magpies manager had not hidden the fact that team selection decisions had been made partly with the future in mind. Gordon was reported to have agreed personal terms with Bayern Munich prior to the end of the season but the German club were not able to meet the financial demands set by Newcastle United to green light a transfer.
Gordon’s journey to the Catalan capital was well documented on Thursday with the player seen boarding a private jet in the North East. Images of the winger on board the flight were also circulated online.
The England international, who will be involved at the World Cup this summer, was then seen posing for photos and sharing a brief exchange with reporters at Barcelona airport before getting in a taxi to complete his medical at Barcelona hospital.
Despite hip and hamstring issues this season, Gordon passed the medical and was seen having dinner in the city centre with Barcelona sporting director Deco and agents on Thursday night.
In other news, Newcastle United want ex-Barcelona star to replace Anthony Gordon.
