Newcastle United forward Anthony Gordon has been the subject of much transfer speculation in recent weeks
Anthony Gordon of Newcastle United has been linked with moves to Bayern Munich and Barcelona
Anthony Gordon of Newcastle United has been linked with moves to Bayern Munich and Barcelona
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Barcelona have entered the race to sign Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon this summer, with pictures emerging from Spain that purport to show his agents meeting sporting director Deco.
According to pictures obtained by Sport, Deco and Barca's football co-ordinator Bojan Krkic met with Gordon's representatives, who are 'currently touring Europe' meeting with various clubs as they explore a transfer away from St James' Park this summer.
Barcelona are keen to sign a left-winger in the summer and are considering not making Marcus Rashford's loan deal from Manchester United a permanent deal, with Real Betis' Abde Ezzalzouli another option they are considering.
But while the Spanish champions are a big fan of Gordon, having seen his qualities first-hand across three Champions League matches between the two sides this season, Newcastle's asking price of £80million could prove prohibitive.
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Barcelona will find it difficult to match any club who comes close to that figure, and it is a hurdle that is also in the way of Bayern Munich, who remain keen to sign Gordon, too, this summer.
The German champions are committed to signing the 25-year-old and according to sources in Germany, have presented Gordon and his camp with details like his salary and contract length, should he make a move to the Allianz Arena.
But the price tag is also higher than they are willing to pay and, like Barcelona, they are drawing up potential alternatives if a compromise cannot be reached on his price tag.
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Arsenal and Liverpool are also said to be among Gordon's potential suitors this summer but the most concrete interest is now coming from Catalonia and Bavaria. Should he go, a move abroad for the right price rather than selling to a direct Premier League rival, would be preferable over him joining a direct Premier League rival.
When asked about the noise around Gordon's future by Chronicle Live last month, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe admitted it was 'unhelpful'.
"I think that comes with the territory," Howe replied when asked if he was frustrated by the likes of Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Tino Livramento being linked with moves away from Tyneside.
"I think your best players will be the ones who are linked with high profile moves. It is certainly not helpful to us, it is not something we encourage or we want. We want players who are 100% focused, with no outside noise.
"Outside noise can affect players in different ways. Those players that you mentioned are all super professional, they are great players in their own way, in their own right. We need them to make the difference on the pitch and I would say the same to all the players.
"It is reputations and how people assess you is one thing but what you deliver on the pitch is another. We need our best players playing at their best level and that is what we need from all players stepping on to the pitch."