Anthony Gordon nears a mammoth move to Barcelona and may have one club chief to thank for it
Marcus Rashford and Anthony Gordon of England battle for possession during a training session at St Georges Park
Anthony Gordon is nearing a stunning move to Barcelona (Image: Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
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Barcelona president Joan Laporta's intervention has reportedly been instrumental in securing the club's signing of Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon.
The England international is set to join the La Liga champions in a £69.3million plus add-ons move and is presently completing a medical. Gordon, 25, has been the subject of transfer speculation away from St James' Park, with Barca and Bayern Munich expressing strong interest in him.
Yet it's the Spanish side that have prevailed in the pursuit of the England international, with German media outlet Bild reporting that Laporta telephoned Gordon personally to finalise the transfer.
The newspaper suggests the Bundesliga champions had reached an agreement on personal terms with Gordon, but their submission of a lower transfer fee than Barca prolonged discussions, allowing Hansi Flick's team to seize the initiative.
It is claimed Bayern Munich officials thought that Barca were posturing in their discussions with Gordon, and news of their negotiations was deliberately released to put pressure on Manchester United to reduce their valuation of Marcus Rashford.
The 28-year-old is expected to return to Old Trafford this summer, with Barca holding the option to purchase him permanently for £26m. However, a deal for Gordon was already secured by the time Bayern became aware of Barca's plans, as they outbid Vincent Kompany's team by £10m.
Anthony Gordon of Newcastle United is fouled by James Garner of Everton during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Everton at St. James's Park in Newcastle, on February 28, 2026
Anthony Gordon is set to leave Newcastle United this summer(Image: MI News/NurPhoto)
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The report went on to state that Laporta - who is serving his second term as Barca president - gave the Newcastle player assurances that he'll be registered without complications despite the club's ongoing financial constraints.
Laporta confirmed that the Gordon transfer was entering its concluding phase following a dinner with Barca's sporting director Deco, his adviser Alejandro Echevarria, along with Juanma Lopez and Andy Bara, the representatives of Joan Garcia and Dani Olmo.
Joan Laporta has reportedly played a key role in Gordon's impending arrival
Joan Laporta has reportedly played a key role in Gordon's impending arrival (Image: Europa Press 2026 via Getty Images)
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The 63-year-old said: "The Gordon deal is being finalised, but it's not done yet. I've been informed of everything." The Magpies are poised to lose one of their finest players and have permitted the Spanish club to stagger the cost of acquiring Gordon across the duration of his contract at the Nou Camp.
Barca will settle the initial £69.3m sum in staged payments over the next five years. Carrying debts exceeding £2bn, the La Liga champions insisted this arrangement for the transaction.
Marcus Rashford in training
Marcus Rashford is currently set for a return to Manchester(Image: (Photo by Judit Cartiel/Getty Images))
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Newcastle will collect a share of any future sale of Gordon, while Everton will receive a substantial sum from the departure of their academy product. The Toffees included a sell-on clause in the £45m sale of Gordon to Newcastle in 2023, which will see David Moyes' side pocket 15% from his switch to Spain.
Gordon's imminent arrival has cast uncertainty over whether Rashford will remain in Catalonia. Discussions are ongoing between United and Barca, with the Blaugrana preferring another loan deal for the forward.