Newcastle United

Newcastle United

Premier League • England

Newcastle urged to pursue quality England star instead of Anthony Gordon, with £60m deal labelled ‘ridiculous’

Jack Grealish and James Maddison

Newcastle United have been told to move away from Everton’s Anthony Gordon and instead pursue an older England attacker who has been in great form this season.

Newcastle and Everton are currently in discussions over a deal for Gordon. The Toffees want £60million for their academy graduate, but Newcastle believe they can get him for less than this. And Newcastle also reckon Everton chiefs will lower their demands as we move closer to the January transfer deadline.

Indeed, the latest from the Daily Telegraph suggests Everton may now accept something closer to £40m.

Gordon himself is making the transfer saga even more interesting. He has missed the last three days of Everton training, resulting in a ‘fractured’ relationship with the club, according to Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie.

It is clear he wants to leave Goodison Park to take the next step in his career. While managerless Everton are fighting against relegation to the Championship, Newcastle are flying high and could secure Champions League qualification for next season, while they are also in the Carabao Cup semi-finals.

talkSPORT transfer insider Alex Crook has given his information on the transfer negotiations. During his appearance on the radio station, he labelled Everton’s original £60m price tag ‘ridiculous’.

“Anthony Gordon is expected back at training today, I think he’s made it pretty clear that he wants to leave,” Crook said.

“Newcastle believe they’re the frontrunners. But this is a constantly evolving story, it was one of the sagas of the summer.

“You’ve heard the price tag of £60m described as ridiculous and I think that’s right and so do Newcastle, they’re not going to pay that kind of money.

Newcastle banking on Everton to reduce demands

“So at the moment I’d say this deal for Gordon is more unlikely than likely. Unless Everton get desperate towards the end of the window and lower their demands.”

Responding to that, pundit Ally McCoist told Everton to sell Gordon as he is not the right player to help them stay in the top flight. However, McCoist also told Newcastle to snub the 21-year-old and instead try to land Leicester’s James Maddison.

“Gordon is accused of not turning up for training and I don’t know about that,” the former striker said. “There’s something happening, clubs are talking, agents are talking, because if he just wasn’t turning up for training he’d be getting fined.

“I think he’s a talented player, but is he the type of player that Everton need right now to stay up?

“I think they need a group of players that are going to roll their sleeves up and run and be committed and work for each other and the fans. And I’m not sure he’s that type, so it might be beneficial for them to take the money.

Magpies should go after Leicester star instead – McCoist

“From Newcastle’s point of view I’d pay another £20m for James Maddison.”

Maddison and Gordon are different players in terms of their respective positions. Gordon likes to operate out wide on the left, while Maddison prefers to play in a central attacking midfield role.

However, Maddison is versatile and can operate out wide too if required. Plus, he has been in great form this season. So Newcastle would be getting a player in who is on top of his game.

The playmaker is on seven goals and four assists from 15 matches so far. He probably would have got more goal contributions too, but injuries have held him back slightly.

While McCoist has told Newcastle to part with £80m for Maddison, the Foxes ace should not actually cost that much. Leicester’s price tag is £60m, the same as what Everton have wanted for Gordon.

Going off goals, assists and experience, Maddison would certainly seem to be the better option for Newcastle.

Meanwhile, Chelsea could be tempted to sell a midfielder if a £40m bid arrives from Newcastle or Crystal Palace.