Anthony Gordon is perhaps unsurprisingly held in high regard by Newcastle United owners PIF.
Gordon has been Newcastle United’s standout player in Champions League competition and currently ranks as one of the most productive forwards in the competition.
No one has recorded more goal involvements than the 24-year-old this season (5), although life in the Premier League has been slightly more difficult for him.
The England international hasn’t scored in domestic competition since January but his form on the European stage underlines his importance to the cause.
Eddie Howe has been full of praise for Gordon and PIF are also huge fans of the player.
Anthony Gordon celebrates scoring for Newcastle United against Benfica.
Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images
Anthony Gordon seen as a poster boy for Newcastle United project
Gordon has been linked with a move to Liverpool but The Chronicle report that Newcastle have offered no encouragement that other top players could leave the club.
Indeed, Gordon is seen as “something of a poster boy” for the club’s project under PIF.
Having a player of his profile in the squad arguably proves that the club can attract big-name players approaching their prime years, rather than simply signing developing talents who will look to move on to a perhaps more traditional Premier League or European powerhouse.
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Alexander Isak was arguably the face of the Newcastle project before his messy move to Liverpool earlier this summer. The Sweden international ended up leaving after a chaotic transfer saga that currently feels as if it did no one any good.
The report also adds that while Liverpool have “always” admired Gordon’s talents, they have not scouted the forward in person recently.
It’s also claimed that Newcastle have no desire to sell their best players and only did so with Isak because he forced a move.
Newcastle United could still be powerless to stop Anthony Gordon from leaving
Wanting to keep a player of Gordon’s profile makes sense. He’s already making an impact on the biggest stage but still has time on his side to become an even better player.
A regular fixture in the England set-up too, it would be logical for the Newcastle United owners to put him front and centre of their project even though the likes of Tino Livramento, Sandro Tonali and Nick Woltemade would be equally as fitting.
Still, there could be a slight concern over the forward’s long-term future. Gordon reportedly has a release clause in his Newcastle contract, after all.
The exact details of it are unclear and there’s no suggestion it will be activated any time soon. Still, if it were, Newcastle would obviously be powerless to stop him from leaving.