Anthony Gordon is set to move from Newcastle United to Barcelona in a £70 million ($94 million) deal, with Alan Shearer expressing surprise at the transfer as the winger prepares to join the La Liga team
Felix Keith
14:14, 29 May 2026
Alan Shearer is surprised by Anthony Gordon's move to Barcelona
Alan Shearer is surprised by Anthony Gordon's move to Barcelona(Image: Getty Images)
Alan Shearer has confessed he is "surprised" that Newcastle has secured £70 million ($94 million) from Barcelona for Anthony Gordon.
The England international is set to join Barca after they pipped Bayern Munich to his signature. Liverpool was also linked with Gordon, who started his career at Everton, but it appears the 25-year-old is heading abroad.
Liverpool.com understands that Barca outbid Bayern by £10 million ($13.5 million) and will pay the £70 million fee over the duration of Gordon's contract until 2031. His transfer raises questions about Marcus Rashford's future in Catalonia, with no agreement yet on converting his loan from Manchester United into a permanent £26 million ($35 million) deal.
Gordon has registered 17 goals and five assists in 46 matches across all competitions this season, excelling particularly in the Champions League. In total, he has netted 39 goals and provided 28 assists in 152 outings for Newcastle since his switch from Everton in 2022.
Newcastle has been able to command £70 million because Gordon remains under contract until June 2030.
Despite this, club icon Shearer has expressed astonishment that Barca can afford such expenditure, given they carry debts exceeding £2 billion ($2.7 billion) and are negotiating with United over Rashford's fee.
Gordon is heading to Spain
Gordon is heading to Spain(Image: Getty Images)
"I think Newcastle have been scarred by the [Alexander] Isak situation and can never be put in that situation again," Shearer told Betfair.
"I mean, clearly, Anthony Gordon wants to leave so, I guess Newcastle's thoughts are, well, if that is the case, we get what we can for him, and then we start and plan, and never be put in that same situation again.
"I think there's a part of... you'd never want to be bitten twice, like they did last summer. Whether they could have got more for him, I don't know. I guess the timing is right now, so they can plan.
"And if that's the case, and it suits Newcastle, it's the right deal, and it's the right timing, then yeah, it's fine. If it's £70 million or whatever it is, then they've made a healthy profit on him.
"I know he's scored goals this season, mostly in the Champions League. He got six league goals, three were penalties. But there's no doubt there's talent there, but if there's talent there that's not fully into it, then you have to let them go, and they have done.
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"I think it's a good deal for both parties. The quicker the deal was done, the better, so Newcastle could plan and move on. I'm not upset at all that he's leaving. I guess when a player wants to move and has made it clear his heart's not in playing for the club anymore, that's fine, you do what's best for the football club.
"No one's bigger than the club, so it's a good deal for Newcastle, first and foremost, and it's a really good deal for Anthony Gordon, so, good luck to him.
"You thank him for what he's done. I think he has, without doubt, split opinions with his time at Newcastle. But yeah, good luck to him. I've got no issues."