Barcelona are in talks with Newcastle over a deal for Anthony Gordon and have moved ahead of Bayern Munich in the race to sign the England winger.
Daily Mail Sport understands that the Spanish champions and Newcastle chiefs are now discussing the make-up of a deal, with the total package including add-ons edging towards £80million.
Bayern’s valuation is lower and, while their interest remains strong, it is Barca who are attempting to advance talks. Liverpool are monitoring the situation and sources have not ruled out them stepping up their interest down the line.
For now, though, it is thought that Gordon’s preference is a move abroad, and his representatives have spoken to both Barca and Bayern. The framework of personal terms with the latter has been in place for several weeks.
Barca sporting director Deco was in London for a series of meetings with potential targets in the days prior to the FA Cup final and is understood to have met Gordon’s camp.
He also used that opportunity to meet Joao Pedro’s agents but Chelsea have no desire to sell.
Anthony Gordon scored six Premier League goals this season in a season disrupted by injury
Sources say Barca would have to sell players in order to be able to register Gordon, but the finances of a transfer are achievable. Those close to the deal are hopeful of progress before the World Cup.
Liverpool’s interest in the 25-year-old is longstanding, but they are focusing on RB Leipzig’s £85m-rated Yan Diomande with Paris St Germain’s Bradley Barcola another option.
Gordon came close to joining Liverpool two years ago with a medical set up in Germany while he was on international duty at Euro 2024, only for Newcastle to pull the plug on the deal as they sold Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest instead.
Anderson is currently the subject of conversations between Manchester City and Forest as they look to strike a £100million plus deal.
Everton have a sell-on clause that will see them receive 15 per cent of the profit. They sold Gordon to Newcastle for £45m in 2023.
Daily Mail Sport reported earlier this week that talks are also planned this week for Man United and England forward Marcus Rashford, as he seeks some clarity on his aim to stay with Barcelona.
The Spanish champions want another loan, rather than exercising the £26m clause in their existing deal, as they need room financially to add another striker following Robert Lewandowski’s departure.
