Liverpool are failing in their bid to land Salah’s long-term replacement

Newcastle have recently found themselves involved in intense negotiations with Liverpool over the potential transfer of their star player, Anthony Gordon.

The deal faced a significant hurdle, however, as talks between the two clubs broke down. The potential swap deal would see Gordon move to Liverpool, while 21-year-old defender Jarell Quansah would head to Newcastle.

This development comes amid rumors suggesting Liverpool have identified Gordon as a potential long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian has long been linked with a move to Saudi Arabia.

Gordon, 23, began his journey at Liverpool’s youth academy before moving to Everton aged 11. At Everton, he made 78 senior appearances over six years, establishing himself as a promising young talent. In January 2023, he completed a $57 million switch to Newcastle.

Under the guidance of manager Eddie Howe, Gordon flourished, becoming a key player for the Magpies.

He had a stellar performance in the 2023–24 season, scoring 12 goals with 11 assists in 48 total appearances. This earned him Newcastle’s Player of the Year.

Financial pressure on Newcastle

Newcastle’s desire to sell Gordon stems from their need to comply with financial regulations.

The club are under pressure to offload at least one high-profile player before the June 30 deadline to avoid breaching the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules. This financial strain made Gordon a prime candidate for a potential transfer, despite his importance to the team.

But, the proposed swap deal between Newcastle and Liverpool fell through. This was primarily because Liverpool were reluctant to part with Jarell Quansah, one of their brightest young prospects.

Liverpool’s management, now under new head coach Arne Slot, felt they already had enough depth in wide areas and were unwilling to lose Quansah. In addition, Liverpool’s scouting and analysis departments rate Gordon highly, believing in his potential to reach the top of the game.

Apart from Liverpool, the English winger has attracted the interest of other top clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain. The French champions, through their head of football Luis Campos, have shown a strong interest in Gordon, seeing him as a significant talent. This interest from multiple clubs highlights Gordon’s rising stock in European football.

Keep your options open

Now the Magpies are caught in a delicate balancing act. While they aim to build a competitive team around their star players, financial constraints are forcing them to consider selling key talent.

The futures of other star players such as Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes also hang in the balance. Isak, admired by Chelsea and Arsenal, is currently in talks to extend his contract.

Meanwhile, Guimaraes’ previously available $127 million release clause has expired, complicating potential transfers.

Amid transfer speculation, Gordon, who is currently in Germany with Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024, has kept his options open. He expressed his respect for Newcastle and their manager, Eddie Howe, but did not commit to making a final decision on his future.

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