Anthony Gordon will sign for Barcelona after sealing a big money exit from Newcastle but now the question is who will replace him?
Newcastle United's Eddie Howe arrives at Fulham
Newcastle United's Eddie Howe(Image: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire)
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Newcastle United have said goodbye to Anthony Gordon ahead of a £69.3m sale to Barcelona with the deal including add ons and a future sale percentage.
Gordon's exit will unlock the potential for Newcastle to strike early in the transfer window with trading starting officially on June 15 when the real action will start.
The big aim from Eddie Howe's point of view is to have as many stars signed up as possible in time for pre-season rather than a repeat of last August's late rush.
What has happened for Gordon at Newcastle will now be used as a pitch to potential young stars unsure about the project on Tyneside.
Gordon cost United £45million in 2023 and had bags of potential but was far from the finished article with many feeling he was a little raw for such a big money buy.
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But working under Eddie Howe, he has turned into a consistent big stage performer, a fully fledged and World Cup-bound England international and will leave to join one of the biggest clubs in the world.
That's what Newcastle could do for Gordon, and now they will look at doing something similar for other young stars as United look firmly to the future.
Gordon's departure has been on the cards for some time now as Howe was left with the task of focusing on the remaining fixtures of the season, maintaining team morale and preserving the fitness of the forward knowing he was the key to a successful window.
Unlike the Alexander Isak exit last summer, when the Sweden star went on strike to seal his £125m move to Liverpool and refused to join the squad on their Far East tour, Gordon's final days on Tyneside were different.
There was no bad blood, and the 25-year-old left the club on excellent terms. The sale is seen as great business for the club and the player and he left with an emotional but warm farewell from insiders.
It remains to be seen if Sandro Tonali follows Gordon out of the door at St James' Park, but there will be incoming business too.
As reported by Chronicle Live earlier this week a right-back, midfielder, winger and a goalkeeper are on sporting director Ross Wilson's wish-list.
United have held discussions with both Reims and the representatives of goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen in recent days. Chronicle Live understands that Jaouen's agency is listening to Newcastle's pitch but at this stage there is no agreement, despite reports in France that he is ready to sign.
What the 20-year-old is keen to establish is what the sporting project at United looks like long-term and where he fits into those plans.
Howe said only on Sunday: "You always start off with an optimistic mindset. That's always how we work. We have a lot of positions to fill. And hopefully we can do that. We have a lot of work."
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