Well respected BBC Newcastle pundit John Anderson has a clear theory on Anthony Gordon's exit plan
Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Chairman of Newcastle United shares a joke with Anthony Gordon
Yasir Al-Rumayyan, chairman of Newcastle United speaks with Anthony Gordon(Image: Getty Images)
View 2 Images
Newcastle United legend John Anderson says that Anthony Gordon essentially handed in a quiet transfer request at St James' Park.
Unlike the last high-profile departure, which saw Alexander Isak force his move to Liverpool by going on strike, the Magpies have managed to keep a lid on any unrest behind the scenes.
Head coach Eddie Howe protected Gordon to the last, and the feeling with the backroom team was that the Scouser did nothing wrong.
But Anderson, who has watched Gordon grow from a raw big-money signing from Everton, knows how transfers work inside the game and suggested that he has been savvy in getting his message to the powers that be.
Former Newcastle United defender John Anderson, working for BBC Radio Newcastle
Former Newcastle United defender John Anderson(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Images)
View 2 Images
He told BBC: "He hasn't done what Alexander Isak has done, but he has obviously let people in high places know that he wants to go."
Gordon has agreed a deal with Barcelona and will sign a five-year contract with the La Liga giants, earning Newcastle £69.3m. Anderson reflected: "I am sure the player himself will want his future sorted out before he goes to the World Cup.
"Everybody accepted that towards the back end of the season, he was going to go, even though he has four years left on his contract.
"To be fair to the manager, he probably knew he was going to go anyway."
Howe had said last week: "It’s a difficult one for me to comment on, in terms of how he should be remembered, because that's us almost saying that he is going, and there's no guarantee.
"We don't know at this moment whether it will be his last game.
"Obviously, I've picked a team, as I've said many times, that in the last few weeks has been performing well.
"Anthony's come back from injury. He's been great around the group. He's been absolutely part of the team, so there have been no issues. Let's see what happens.
"The right time to give an answer to that question would be if he does leave, and then I'll obviously discuss that with you."
*Get Chronicle Premium now for just £1*HERE– exclusive news and features, our NUFC and Academy notebooks, John Gibson's columns plus an ad-lite experience****
Content Image
Content Image