Newcastle United

Newcastle United

Premier League • England

Big-money Newcastle move branded ‘ridiculous’, amid claims player’s ‘hardly done anything’

Anthony Gordon, Newcastle United, February 2023

Robbie Fowler thinks Anthony Gordon’s £45million move to Newcastle United was “ridiculous” as he thinks he has “hardly done anything” to deserve that fee.

After their takeover by the Saudi Public Investment Fund in 2021, it was expected the Magpies would splash huge sums on big names. Indeed, the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo have been tipped for moves to St James’ Park.

However, that’s not quite how their recruitment has gone since the takeover. Yes, they have spent money to make improvements to the squad.

However, there haven’t really been any massive signings where the club have truly flexed their muscles. The first window after the takeover saw them sign Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes, Chris Wood and Dan Burn on permanent deals.

While Trippier is a big name, he didn’t command a massive fee, and Guimaraes was not yet a household name.

In the last couple of windows, there has been a bit more spending done. Alexander Isak has been the statement signing since the takeover, costing more than £60million from Real Sociedad.

The forward would have likely been a huge asset to this point, had his playing time not been curtailed by a hamstring injury.

Beyond that, the most expensive signing has been that of Gordon from Everton. The forward cost £45million – after being valued north of £50million by the Toffees when Chelsea were pursuing him in the summer.

Gordon price ‘ridiculous’, thinks Fowler

Eyebrows were raised at the fee that Everton were asking for in the summer. Indeed, at that point Gordon had scored just four senior goals.

Former Premier League striker Fowler has hit out at the price tag he was eventually sold for in January.

“Look at Anthony Gordon’s price,” he told the Mirror.

“It’s ridiculous for someone who’s hardly done anything and is yet to show any end product going for £45 million.

“But that’s the market for homegrown players today.”

Indeed, in 16 games for Everton this season, Gordon had scored just three times. Granted, that was in an under-performing team, but it still seems a low total for somebody who has then gone on to be sold for such a big fee.

Newcastle can get best out of Gordon

Newcastle will hope they can get the best out of Gordon, so the fee they paid was worth it. Indeed, they’d simply not have paid it if they didn’t think they could.

Miguel Almiron was having a tough period before this season. However, he has become one of the Magpies’ most important assets, scoring 10 league goals – more than the previous three seasons combined – this campaign.

As such, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Gordon’s impact went the same way that Almiron’s has.

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