Reports suggest failure to qualify for the Champions League could force Newcastle United into some tough decisions if they wish to strengthen this summer - and that could benefit Everton
Anthony Gordon could leave Newcastle United this summer if they fail to qualify for the Champions League, according to reports, and that could be good news for Everton
Anthony Gordon could leave Newcastle United this summer if they fail to qualify for the Champions League, according to reports, and that could be good news for Everton(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
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Everton could be in for an extra windfall if they fights off Newcastle United and others to earn a place in Europe next season.
Not only would the Blues be in line for additional millions in merit payments for their first top-half finish in years, theeir success could have a knock-on impact for some of their rivals.
Reports suggest the Magpies would need to sell at least one of their big names should they miss out on the Champions League this season - with the BBC writing that Anthony Gordon is one player being coveted.
Should the winger be sold at a profit then Everton would stand to benefit from the terms of the deal that took him from Merseyside to the north east in January 2023.
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Gordon departed Everton in a tumultuous start to that year that saw then-manager Frank Lampard sacked as the club hurtled towards a second successive relegation fight.
The England international left in acrimonious circumstances, handing in a transfer request during a window that left the Blues weaker for the battle ahead - though the initial £40m fee was desperately needed by a club that was struggling to comply with Premier League financial regulations.
The relationship between the player and the club whose academy he graduated from has not improved since.
Gordon has impressed at times at St James’ Park and has done enough to attract interest from elsewhere. Previously that appeared to come from Liverpool but now Arsenal are said to rate the 25-year-old, according to the BBC.
In the same report, the organisation states a belief that failure to qualify for the Champions League would force Newcastle into the sale of at least one big name if they were to strengthen the wider squad.
Alongside Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, Gordon would be one potential option. That could offer a boost for Everton who, the ECHO understands, would be due 15% of any profit made by the Magpies on his sale.
Newcastle made the last 16 of this season’s Champions League before being knocked out by Barcelona and now face a mammoth challenge to return next season.
Arsenal’s quarter-final first-leg win over Sporting on Tuesday guaranteed that fifth place in the Premier League would lead to a spot among Europe’s elite.
Eddie Howe’s team are currently 12th, however, seven points off fifth-placed Liverpool and with a clutch of teams - including Everton - standing in their way.