The finances involved in Gordon's move from Newcastle to Barcelona have been in the spotlight this week
Anthony Gordon of FC Barcelona
Anthony Gordon of FC Barcelona (Image: David Ramirez/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Newcastle United have been paid as scheduled by Barcelona for Anthony Gordon's transfer, despite reports in Spain suggesting the Spanish champions were planning to postpone their initial payment.
The two clubs agreed a deal worth £69million plus add-ons for the England international, who signed for the La Liga club on May 29 earlier this year.
Reports from Spanish outlet El Desmarque claimed that La Blaugrana were looking to defer a 'short-term payment' of £18.88m until June 2027, but will now pay £38m in a first payment after reaching an agreement with the Magpies. The report also suggested Barcelona would then also owe a second payment that would take the fee paid to Newcastle up to the £69m agreement.
However, Chronicle Live understands that Newcastle have received that initial payment as scheduled and it has been financed from Barcelona. Any deferred payment would likely be owed to the bank in a repayment schedule they have taken out in loans to finance their transfer business, but they do not owe Newcastle and have not reached a new agreement with the Magpies.
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Newcastle could bank up to a further £8.5million from Gordon's move to Catalonia should the 25-year-old feature in 60 per cent of matches each season and also help his new side win trophies.
The former Everton winger made huge strides during his three-and-a-half years at Newcastle and has made an excellent start to life at Barcelona, registering five assists in five appearances so far this season.
Gordon has not only taken Marcus Rashford's place on the left-wing for England but he also replaced him in the Barcelona squad ahead of this season, with the 28-year-old returning to Manchester United after his loan spell at the Camp Nou.
Speaking about why they preferred Gordon's profile to Rashford's, Barcelona's sporting director, Deco, said: "We are extremely grateful to Rashford. He contributed a lot last season, but our idea of play is much more linked to Anthony's. His style fits with what the coach is looking for."
"In the case of Gordon, we saw that he was one of the figures we needed. When Raphinha wasn't on the pitch, the team lost energy and with him we could solve it. The big advantage we had is that the player wanted to come and he was able to put on pressure [at Newcastle to be allowed to leave]."
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