- Newcastle should target Gordon’s England teammate Rashford as replacement
- Fee likely to be modest in comparison to other possible options
- Why Rashford could be perfect for the Magpies
Much has been made of Anthony Gordon’s departure from Newcastle United, especially when discussing possible replacements. The Magpies accumulated around €70m, possibly €80m with add-ons, meaning they will likely have a decent chunk of money to splash on a replacement.
But, whilst a lot has been made of some big-money signings, the likes of Abde Ezzalzouli for £50m are strikingly prominent at present. Could it actually be worth looking closer to home for someone to pick up the slack that the departing Gordon has left?
Marcus Rashford, whom Barcelona ironically decided not to sign in favour of paying a much steeper fee for Gordon, is available from Manchester United this summer and seemingly at a cut price as the Red Devils look to offload their academy graduate.
Rashford financially viable for Newcastle
The buy clause that Barcelona had for Rashford was reported to be around £25m. It should be stated that, if Newcastle are the ones trying to sign him, Manchester United would likely bump up the price a bit, given the domestic implications between the two clubs.
But no matter what price tag the Red Devils decide to put on Rashford’s head, it would most certainly be nowhere near the fee accumulated for Gordon and likely not close to any of the reported fees for other targets.
Newcastle also have the rather pressing matter of signing players to improve/bolster a variety of other positions this summer, too.
So, if the Magpies can get their hands on a Premier League-proven player who is tipped to actually bench Gordon for England at the World Cup, it feels as if it makes a lot of sense.
Is Rashford the right fit?
Rashford and the departing Gordon have a lot more similarities than it may first appear.
In fact, Rashford is widely regarded as having more quality than Gordon, whereas Gordon’s pressing and work rate are where he triumphs over his England teammate.
Rashford had fewer minutes than Gordon across the season, albeit by just 200, and managed more goal contributions in that time with 25 to Gordon’s 22.
Rashford favours cutting inside and can also be deployed as a number nine, similarly to Gordon. Newcastle fans are also already well aware of exactly what he can do, with his stunning brace at St James’ Park in the UEFA Champions League group stage condemning the Magpies to defeat.
Rashford perhaps doesn’t have the same tenacious pressing and discipline attributes that Gordon has, which may not position him well in the eyes of the current manager Eddie Howe.
But Howe has a track record of making players better and improving them in every aspect. Add that to this seemingly being the hungriest Rashford has ever been in his career, mainly due to his current lack of footballing home, and Newcastle could have a version of Rashford on their hands that surpasses Gordon in every aspect.
Of course, that is nothing more than a ‘could’ at this stage, and it is unknown whether the Magpies are actively looking at the possibility of bringing Rashford in.
However, the price tag, attributes and game-changing ability that Rashford possesses make him a player who should at least be explored in regard to a move to Tyneside.
