Top Eddie Howe winger target named as Newcastle forced to settle on £45m Anthony Gordon

Eddie Howe’s preferred winger signing for Newcastle United has emerged after the manager was forced to settle for Anthony Gordon from Everton instead.

Gordon joined Newcastle on January 29. According to Sky Sports, the Magpies paid an initial £40million for him, though the deal could rise to £45m through add-ons.

When announcing Gordon’s departure from Goodison Park, Everton revealed they had let the wide man move after he had submitted a transfer request. Gordon had also refused to train in the days leading up to the switch.

After signing for Newcastle, Gordon said: “Since I heard of the interest, I was always convinced Newcastle were for me.

“I think the fan base and the city really suits me as a person, the way the team are playing under the gaffer at the minute really suits me, and the club just look like they’re heading in the right direction.

“I feel like it’s a really big step. People haven’t seen what I’m capable of yet. I think under the gaffer, and the way the club’s going, I can really excel here.”

The 21-year-old has since played twice for Newcastle, with both of those appearances coming in the Premier League, though he is yet to register his first goal.

CaughtOffside now claim that Gordon wasn’t actually Howe’s ideal signing to improve his wide attacking ranks. Instead, they state that Howe wanted to bring in Nico Williams from La Liga side Athletic Bilbao.

Howe wanted Newcastle to sign La Liga ace before Gordon arrival

The report does not provide much detail on Newcastle’s hunt for the Spaniard. But it seems Newcastle made an approach for him, only to be pushed back by Athletic.

And this forced them to look for more obtainable alternatives, which is when Gordon cropped up on their list.

Williams would have been an intriguing signing for the St James’ Park club. He is slightly younger than Gordon at just 20 years old. He is still a raw talent, but he does have great potential.

His exciting performances this campaign have resulted in him becoming a a target for Liverpool alongside midfield team-mate Oihan Sancet. Clearly, Williams will be able to achieve a big move away from Athletic in the future.

But as Fabrizio Romano says, price is a ‘very important’ factor for Athletic to sell their top players. As such, maybe it was their massive valuation of the seven-cap Spain international which put Newcastle off.

Despite Newcastle moving for Gordon instead, this is certainly a transfer rumour to keep an eye on. Williams is only getting better, so the Magpies could be convinced to return for him in a future transfer window.

And their need for a new winger will be increase if Allan Saint-Maximin departs. He is settled in the north east, but AC Milan have struck up an interest in him.

Meanwhile, Newcastle and Fulham are keeping tabs on a Ligue 1 star, according to reports emerging from Europe.