Anthony Gordon was deep in thought as club anthem ‘Cant del Barca’ rang out. The Newcastle United forward was sat on the steps in the Spotify Camp Nou tunnel, taking it all in — just minutes before Newcastle faced Barcelona in the second leg of their Champions League knockout tie back in March.
Few could have imagined Gordon would be returning to that same stadium to be unveiled as a Barcelona player just a couple of months later, even if a departure had always looked likely.
Gordon is understood to have viewed his spell at Newcastle as the best three-and-a-half years of his life, and is immensely grateful for what the club’s coaching staff and team-mates did for him. However, the England forward has never disguised his ambition to reach the very top, and he arrives in Barcelona to undergo a medical and complete his £69.3m move.
Former Newcastle team-mate Matt Ritchie reflected on what drives the 25-year-old. “It’s his work ethic and application,” he said. “He’s laser-focused on being the best he can be. Working with Eddie [Howe] and all the coaches in Newcastle, he couldn’t have fallen into better hands in that regard. Knowing Ant how I know him, he dreams big, he thinks big and you can see with his personality on the pitch. He became a team player but will always have that edge and controlled arrogance, which all these top players have, so I’m not surprised he’s moving on to a club with the stature of Barcelona.”
Barcelona are convinced there is more to come from the Liverpool-born forward, both with and without the ball. Manager Hansi Flick had previously spoken about Newcastle being a “very intense” side — a style Gordon embodies.
What now for Rashford?
Gordon’s move raises questions about the future of England team-mate Marcus Rashford. Barcelona also held the option of making the 28-year-old’s loan from Manchester United permanent for £26m. However, the club prioritised a move for Gordon, who offers versatility on the left and through the middle, is three years younger, and on a lower wage.
That does not necessarily rule out a Rashford return to the club. Sources close to the United forward say the two situations are separate.
A 15 June deadline exists for Barcelona to activate the transfer clause, but sources suggest it is unrealistic to expect United could sell Rashford for more money to another club he would be prepared to join. Barcelona have been trying to renegotiate the terms of the clause — something United are unwilling to do — meaning it is not beyond possibility the deadline could pass without agreement, though negotiations could continue regardless.
The more significant window is the gap between the end of England’s involvement at the World Cup and Rashford’s planned return to pre-season training, around three weeks later. That is the period in which some form of resolution is needed, to avoid manager Michael Carrick facing a decision over a player club chiefs would prefer to move on.
Source: Gordon joins Barcelona for £69m — and what it means for Rashford’s future