Liverpool’s interest in Anthony Gordon, Newcastle United’s 23-year-old winger, has been a hot topic this transfer window.
The Reds are reportedly keen to bolster their attacking options, and Gordon, with his impressive performances since joining Newcastle from Everton in January 2023, emerged as a top target.
As recently as this week, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the England international is rated ‘very highly’ internally and is one to watch this summer.
The discussions around Gordon’s transfer intensified as Newcastle faced financial pressures to comply with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) by the end of June.
Newcastle needed to raise funds, and selling players like Gordon seemed a viable solution. However, Liverpool’s initial interest did not result in a concrete offer that met Newcastle’s valuation of the player.
Liverpool considered including young defender Jarell Quansah in the deal to reduce the cash outlay, but ultimately decided against it despite Newcastle requesting the 21-year-old.
Quansah, highly rated at Anfield, was seen as too valuable a prospect to lose, especially given Liverpool’s need for defensive depth.
This decision complicated the negotiations, as Newcastle was looking for a significant financial boost from any potential sale.
It has now emerged that potential swap deals did not stop at Quansah.
HOW CLOSE WERE LIVERPOOL TO CLOSING THE ANTHONY GORDON – JOE GOMEZ DEAL?
On Wednesday, it was reported that Joe Gomez was likewise spoken about in negotiations between the two clubs over Gordon.
Newcastle returned with a proposal to buy Gomez for £45m and sell Gordon for £75m after the Quansah talks broke down.
It seemed a satisfactory deal for all parties, and indeed both clubs were working to make it happen.
The Daily Mail has reported that a medical was even planned for both players in Leipzig during Euro 2024.
According to the report, Gomez was thrilled to have the opportunity to play regularly again his preferred position of right-sided center defense, where he had played during Liverpool’s title-winning campaign.
England teammates noticed that Gordon’s head was turned by the thought of returning to Merseyside during Euro 2024.
However, the sales of Yankuba Minteh and Elliot Anderson for a combined fee close to £60m eased any PSR concerns, and the Magpies pulled the plug on talks as a result.
