England U21 winger Anthony Gordon joins Newcastle in £45m deal from Everton; Toffees academy graduate moves to St James' Park after handing in a transfer request at Goodison Park; Newcastle will pay an initial £40m fee for the 21-year-old plus a potential £5m in add-ons
Monday 30 January 2023 06:12, UK
Newcastle have completed the £45m transfer of winger Anthony Gordon from Everton, making him the club's second most expensive signing.
Everton said in a brief 64-word statement that they sanctioned the deal for Gordon, who joined Everton aged 11, to move to the Magpies after he handed in a transfer request.
Gordon has signed a long-term contract at Newcastle after they agreed to pay an initial £40m plus add-ons that could see the deal rise to £45m, with the £63m paid for Alexander Isak last summer remaining their club-record transfer.
Gordon, who made his Premier League debut for Everton in January 2020, becomes Eddie Howe's first signing of this January transfer window as the third-placed Magpies bolster their attacking options for the second half of the season.
Managerless Everton, who are expected to announce Sean Dyche as their new boss, are in the Premier League relegation zone, level on points with bottom side Southampton.
Gordon has told Everton fans to "stick by the team" in a farewell post on social media.
The 21-year-old missed three days of training and handed in a transfer request at his boyhood club before being granted his transfer to Newcastle.
After the transfer was announced on Sunday, Gordon posted on social media: "There has always been some difficult moments this year but I never took any of it personally; stick by the team because they need you."
"I love this club and I always have from the day I joined but the time has come for me to leave. I know many fans won't understand but the next chapter awaits. I will always wish the best for this club and always be watching on."
Gordon, who leaves Goodison Park having scored seven goals in 78 appearances, said "people haven't seen what I'm capable of yet" following his move to Newcastle.
"Since I heard of the interest, I was always convinced Newcastle were for me," Gordon told NUFC TV.
"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. I think under the gaffer, and the way the club's going, I can really excel here."
Newcastle head coach Howe added: "I'm delighted to sign Anthony - he's a top, top talent.
"I'm really excited to work with him, to develop him, and I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do in a Newcastle shirt."
Gordon did not get a warm farewell from his boyhood club as Everton spared just 64 words in their statement confirming his departure.
The 21-year-old missed two training sessions as Newcastle stepped up their pursuit of the winger and told Everton he did not want to play for them again in a bid to force a move.
Everton's statement issued on Sunday read: "Anthony Gordon has joined Newcastle United for an undisclosed fee.
"The 21-year-old forward leaves Everton after having submitted a formal transfer request.
"Gordon joined the Club's Academy at the age of 11 and made his senior debut as a 16-year-old in a Europa League tie in December 2017. He went on to make 78 First-Team appearances, scoring seven goals."
Former Everton striker Kevin Campbell discussed Gordon on the Transfer Show:
"It seems that he took advice from elsewhere but two of his days off weren't granted. One way of upsetting the apple-cart is to stay away from the club and not honouring training.
"He's engineered the move. He's come through the ranks at Everton and is a talented young player but I don't think Everton are in a position to try to hold onto people who don't want to be at the football club.
"There were rumours of a late Chelsea bid coming through in the summer which didn't quite work out. Everton are right up against the pump in terms of FFP so I'm sure they'd have wanted to bring in some money for the new manager."
Former Everton defender Alan Stubbs told Sky Sports:
"I think it's a good deal. Anthony Gordon has not hit anywhere near the heights as he did when he first came into the team. Since the summer when he was linked with Chelsea, he's not been the same player since then.
"What's happened during this week doesn't really reflect good on him, if I'm honest. Everton have got a good deal, £40m is a lot of money and hopefully, they can invest it wisely and make the team stronger.
"I think it was more disrespectful to his team-mates more than anyone else. We've all been in those situations before, but there is a way of going about it.
"Talks could've been held higher up and privately about him not wanting to be here but it's been played out in the public and he's not come out of it very well. But ultimately, he's probably got what he wants out of it.
"Gordon has flattered to deceive even towards the end of last season. There's not been any end product and his goals and assists haven't come.
"I hope Everton can reinforce the team and give it a lift with a busy end to the window.
"Everton need a striker, two wide players, creativity in midfield and they also need a left-back. There's a lot of work to be done."
Who will be on the move this winter? The January transfer window opened on Sunday January 1, 2023 and closes at 11pm on Tuesday January 31, 2023.
Keep up-to-date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on Sky Sports' digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News.
