Newcastle United have reportedly agreed a £69.3m plus add-ons deal with Barcelona for Anthony Gordon, with the transfer said to leave Marcus Rashford’s future at Manchester United uncertain
Anthony Gordon is poised to complete a move to Barcelona after Newcastle United accepted a £69.3million plus add-ons offer, casting doubt over Marcus Rashford’s prospects at the club. Following a day of negotiations between the sides, Gordon is now due to undergo a medical as the deal edges closer to completion.
The England winger is anticipated to double his earnings to approximately £300,000 per week, as Barcelona invest heavily ahead of the World Cup. The La Liga champions have adopted a markedly different strategy in their dealings with the Magpies compared to their negotiations with Manchester United.
They have the option to secure Rashford for £26m through a clause in his loan agreement, during which the 28-year-old performed well after arriving from United. However, Barcelona have been working to reduce that fee as they navigate their financial regulations in Spain.
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Gordon’s preferred position is on the left wing, where he’s set to compete with Rashford for a spot in Thomas Tuchel’s England lineup. Nevertheless, it’s been suggested that Hansi Flick is willing to bring in both players this summer.
Rashford has reportedly already consented to sacrificing nearly half his weekly wage to stay at Barcelona, while another loan arrangement has been mooted and would now appear a more probable outcome. United’s preference would be to sell at the figure they agreed last summer.
Whether United’s hierarchy are open to alternative arrangements following Barcelona’s pursuit of Gordon is yet to be determined. The Catalan side are flexing their financial muscle but could also use the Gordon transfer as justification for limiting further expenditure.
Gordon’s signing will also enable Barcelona to demonstrate they aren’t desperately in need of reinforcement in that area. Rashford drifted in and out of Barca’s first XI, despite contributing 14 goals and 14 assists.
This places United in an awkward situation regarding Rashford’s future. The homegrown talent is tied down until 2028, though he’d only intended to remain at Camp Nou this summer.
After securing the league title with Barca, Rashford expressed hope of prolonging his spell but seemed to suggest it wasn’t guaranteed. “This is the perfect way I want it to end,” he said.
“I’m very happy, I just want to enjoy today. I live in the moment. At the end of the season we will see.
“I came here to win and we do this so I’m very happy. It’s an incredible feeling.
“Over the season we deserved it, we were the best team. We had some bad moments but we always come back and fight to improve.”
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