Liverpool transfers: Newcastle CEO's one-word update on Anthony Gordon
Liverpool made an attempt to sign Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon earlier this summer but talks broke down before a deal could be done.
Newcastle were struggling to comply with Premier League profit and sustainability regulations and required sales before a June 30 deadline.
Prior to that date there was contact between the two clubs with the Magpies seeking to ascertain whether Liverpool would be interested in discussing a transfer for a player that was on their books as a kid.
However, the negotiations broke down for two key reasons; Newcastle’s asking price was said to be a package totalling £100 million and the north east side were also intent on adding Jarell Quansah to the deal.
That was a red line for Liverpool’s transfer team, who opted to walk away.
Newcastle then feared that the England forward would have his head turned due to interest from his hometown club and it was speculated that the Reds would come back with a bid before the end of the summer.
Eddie Howe’s side managed to fulfil their PSR criteria by selling Yankuba Minteh and Elliott Anderson to Brighton and Nottingham Forest respectively, managing to hold onto Gordon, Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes.
Newcastle CEO expects Gordon to stay
And club CEO Darren Eales has now told Chronicle Live that he expects Gordon and his two other prized assets to remain at St. James’ Park for the season ahead.
"In the end, we had to do the deals that were right for the club, that made us compliant,” he said.
“So, from that perspective, we did what we had to do. But we kept what I would say are our core players, the type of players like Isak, Gordon, Bruno, Joelinton - those players who are our core
"Now it's a case of OK, with that new cycle ahead of us now, how can we look to strengthen? How can we look to go to the next level?"
Eales was asked whether Newcastle would hang onto star players Gordon, Isak and Guimaraes through the transfer window and he was unequivocal.
"Yes!” he replied.
Gordon 'main attacking threat'
Eales also had his say on Gordon’s disappointing Euro 2024 campaign, where he was little utilised by England manager Gareth Southgate.
Despite Gordon being one of the most productive English attackers in the Premier League last season - with 11 goals and 10 assists - he managed only a single minute on the pitch in Germany - a late cameo in a 0-0 draw against Slovenia.
"From a personal capacity it was a shame that he didn't get more time because as we saw last season, Anthony can be a very dangerous player,” he said.
“He was one of the main attacking threats in the Premier League last season."
"We also saw the way that Eddie developed him because when he came mid-way through last season even Anthony will accept it took him a bit of time to get up to speed.
"But we saw the way that Eddie can develop players and that is something that is Eddie's big strengths and what makes him such a good club manager because he has that day to day contact with the players out on the grass.
"That is psychological as well as a physical and tactical perspective. So for us Anthony's one of the many weapons we've got, that is the excitement we've got."
Gordon joined Newcastle from Everton in January 2023 for a £45m fee and is under contract with the St. James’ Park outfit until 2026.