Newcastle United’s interest in Anthony Gordon is genuine, but they will struggle to attract the player to the club amid interest from elsewhere, according to journalist Ben Jacobs.
The Magpies have already had a bid for the Merseyside youngster rejected earlier in the window, while Chelsea were also dealt a blow in their pursuit for the 21-year-old after Everton rejected a £40m bid.
However, despite their initial rejections, both clubs remain interested in signing the forward, but according to Jacobs, Newcastle will find it difficult to secure a deal as the player would prefer a move to London and the club’s hierarchy are not likely to spend over the odds to bring him in.
Jacobs told NUFC Matters: “From Newcastle’s perspective, their initial bid for Gordon was £35m, it was dismissed. They were told he wasn’t for sale. But the fact that Chelsea’s bid at £40 million originally was put out there publicly whilst they were playing and standing next to the Newcastle owners is a tactic to see whether Newcastle bite. So the interest is real, and let’s see now whether Newcastle try and return.
“The challenge for Newcastle is that if they’re up against Chelsea, I think Gordon picks Chelsea, and I still reiterate what I said before, that Newcastle have been more sensible than Chelsea in terms of how high incrementally when a bid has been rejected, they’re prepared to return for. Chelsea have been ambitious and have not been afraid to go up in increments of £5-7m million over a 24, 48, 72-hour period.
“So, Chelsea are the favourites if Everton are prepared to sell. There is still a question mark over that. But Gordon’s head has been turned by this Chelsea interest, so I think that he would like the move, much like [Wesley] Fofana would like the move – and therefore Newcastle are going to struggle both financially and in terms of their pitch to the player to actually persuade him now to join Newcastle United over Chelsea if they return.”
TIF Thoughts on Jacobs’ comments…
Despite the Magpies’ wealthy owners, it would appear they are still going to struggle to attract top youngsters and experienced players to their club when up against a giant of the game like Chelsea.
It is no surprise that either club is looking to bring in Gordon, as he has impressed in his short stint in the professional game, picking up four goals and three assists in his maiden top-flight campaign as a regular for Everton.
He has also shown his defensive prowess, as he has ranked in the 99th percentile for blocks and in the 96th for pressures and tackles per game, compared to other attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues over the last year.
While a move to Chelsea would certainly put Gordon on a new trajectory in terms of playing Champions League football, he would surely be guaranteed more game time at Newcastle immediately, and with their potential, there is no reason why the Magpies can not be on Chelsea’s level in a few years.
Chelsea seems to be the immediate attraction, but the smarter move feels like Newcastle right now.
Where would you rather sign?Newcastle
Chelsea
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