Anthony Gordon is set to join Barcelona after Newcastle agreed to spread the transfer fee over five years, with Barca president Joan Laporta reported to have played a key role in sealing the transfer
Fasika Zelealem Senior Sports Reporter and Maria Ortega Foreign Content Specialist
08:22, 29 May 2026
Anthony Gordon looks set to leave Newcastle for Barcelona
Anthony Gordon looks set to leave Newcastle for Barcelona(Image: Getty Images)
Anthony Gordon has Joan Laporta to thank for his proposed Barcelona transfer, with the Catalan club's president said to have played a pivotal role in securing the deal.
The Newcastle winger is set to join the La Liga team in a £69.3 million ($93 million) plus add-ons arrangement and is currently undergoing a medical. Gordon, 25, had been heavily linked with a departure from St. James' Park, with both Barca and Bayern Munich expressing strong interest in him. Liverpool has also previously been linked with the former Everton talent.
However, it is Barcelona that has won the race for the England international, with German media outlet Bild reporting that Laporta personally spoke to Gordon over the phone to clinch the transfer.
The publication claims that Bayern had agreed personal terms with Gordon, but its offer of a lower transfer fee than Barca's caused negotiations to drag on, ultimately allowing Hansi Flick's side to take the upper hand.
The report further noted that Laporta — now in his second spell as Barca president — reassured the Newcastle star that he would be registered without issue, despite the club's ongoing financial difficulties.
Bayern's directors are said to have believed that Barca were bluffing during their negotiations with Gordon, and suggest that news of those discussions was deliberately leaked to pressurize Manchester United into reducing its asking price for Marcus Rashford.
Gordon's proposed switch to Barcelona could impact Marcus Rashford's future
Gordon's proposed switch to Barcelona could impact Marcus Rashford's future(Image: Getty Images)
The 28-year-old is set to return to Old Trafford this summer, with Barca holding the option to sign him permanently for £26 million ($35 million). However, a deal to sign Gordon had already been agreed upon before Bayern became aware of Barca's intentions, with the Catalan club outbidding Vincent Kompany's side by £10 million ($13.5 million).
Laporta confirmed that the transfer for Gordon was entering its final stages following a dinner with Barca's sporting director Deco, his adviser Alejandro Echevarria, alongside Juanma Lopez and Andy Bara, the representatives of Joan Garcia and Dani Olmo.
The 63-year-old stated: "The Gordon deal is being finalized, but it's not done yet. I've been informed of everything."
Newcastle look set to lose one of its standout players, having permitted the Spanish club to spread the cost of signing Gordon across the duration of his contract at the Nou Camp.
Barca will pay the initial £69.3 million fee in installments over the next five years. Burdened with debts exceeding £2 billion ($2.7 billion), the La Liga team insisted upon this payment structure.
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Newcastle will receive a share of any future sale of Gordon, while Everton will pocket a considerable sum from the departure of its academy product.
The Toffees included a sell-on clause in the £45 million ($60.5 million) sale of Gordon to Newcastle in 2023, which will see David Moyes' side earn 15 percent from his transfer 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 Premier League club convinced the Blaugrana possess the financial resources to secure the forward.