Anthony Gordon: Barcelona rock Man United with plan to sign Newcastle star | OneFootball

FC Barcelona have opened “club-to-club talks” with Newcastle United to sign Anthony Gordon in a double blow to Manchester United, Fabrizio Romano reveals.

Another One Bites the Dust

Manchester United are prioritising an overhaul of their midfield this summer. Casemiro‘s contract has expired, while Manuel Ugarte‘s poor performances will see him join the Brazilian through the exit door if a suitable offer arrives.

Up to three new options are expected to arrive to fix the stalling engine room, with a deal advancing for Atalanta dynamo Ederson after United executives flew out to Bergamo this week. A host of other targets, including Nottingham Forest talisman Elliot Anderson and Real Madrid superstar Aurélien Tchouaméni, are also under consideration as United plan to invest up to £150 million in midfield.

But reinforcements on the left-hand side are being considered as well, with options at left wing or fullback being explored. RB Leipzig breakout star Yan Diomande and Aston Villa wizard Morgan Rogers are the two leading candidates out wide, but prohibitive asking prices for both are likely to rule United out of the running.

Gordon, Newcastle and England’s versatile 25-year-old attacker, is another long-term target at Old Trafford, with INEOS understood to “really like” the Merseyside native.

United’s hierarchy are increasingly prioritising players with Premier League pedigree where possible, as the captures of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha last summer proved. Gordon fits this mould, while offering the age profile and work-rate INEOS want.

Newcastle are increasingly open to Gordon’s sale this summer as the Magpies grapple with the need for an overhaul of Eddie Howe’s squad after a dismal season. The financial situation at St James’ Park means they will need to generate funds to do this — with the winger considered more expendable than players like Sandro Tonali and Lewis Hall, both also on the Red Devils’ radar.

But United’s focus on midfield will drain the bulk of their summer war chest, leaving little left over for a big-money raid for a target like Gordon, even if his club is open to the deal. An option like Wolves starlet Mateus Mane may present a cheaper alternative.

Double Blow

One key factor in United’s ability to spend big this summer is shifting the deadwood from Michael Carrick’s squad, including players not currently at the Theatre of Dreams, such as Marcus Rashford.

The 28-year-old Carrington graduate joined Barcelona on a season-long loan last summer. A £26 million buy option was included in the deal, which the Spanish giant can trigger at any point up until 15 June.

Despite 14 goals and 14 assists in all competitions as Rashford helped them defend their LaLiga title, the Blaugrana have refused to pay up, instead trying to renegotiate the deal to strike a cheaper price or, preferably, another loan.

United have steadfastly rejected these attempts, continuing to demand the terms of the original deal be honoured, or risk losing out on Rashford entirely, with a host of clubs in the Premier League interested in the England international.

This makes Romano’s update that Barcelona have opened talks to sign Gordon so frustrating for the powerbrokers in M16. It simultaneously rules out an option to bolster Carrick’s forward line (Gordon), while majorly decreasing the likelihood they will be able to sell an unwanted player (Rashford).

Tweet: “Barcelona are in direct club to club talks with Newcastle for Anthony Gordon. The player’s keen on the move but more clubs are also on it. This was the reason of Deco’s mission to the UK, as @mundodeportivo reports. Bayern and Premier League clubs are also keen.”

Final Thoughts

United executives will undoubtedly be exasperated by the news that Barcelona have opened talks over a big-money move for Gordon, after months of protracted negotiations over a deal for Rashford at a fraction of the price Newcastle will demand.

The fact that it will remove another highly-rated winger from the wish list at Old Trafford just pours salt on the wound, given Gordon is understood to be prioritising Camp Nou over alternative options elsewhere in Europe.

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