Liverpool turn down Anthony Gordon transfer because Newcastle wanted one player in swap deal

Speculation surrounds the future of Newcastle United and England star Anthony Gordon and where he will be playing his football next season – but it seems a potential move to Liverpool has broken down.

The 23-year-old attacker has flourished since his switch to the Magpies in January 2023, leaving boyhood club Everton in an initial £40m deal.

Gordon has scored 13 goals in a season-and-a-half in the North East, with 12 strikes in 48 matches across all competitions in the 2023/24 campaign.

Gordon’s form for Newcastle prompted a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad, and has been part of the Three Lions squad for Euro 2024.

The former Toffees man got the first minutes of the Euros when he came off the bench in the goalless draw against Slovenia on Wednesday night.

He could start England’s last 16 clash against Slovakia on Sunday evening, with all eyes on Southgate’s team selection for the first knockout game of the competition.

Gordon’s Newcastle contract runs until the summer of 2026, so Eddie Howe’s side are under no immediate pressure to sell one of their star assets in terms of potentially losing him on a free transfer in a year’s time.

However, the Magpies have a need to raise funds to comply with the Premier League‘s Profit and Sustainability financial rules, or face the risk of a points deduction.

Speculation has suggested Liverpool are interested in signing the former Everton man this summer as one of Arne Slot’s first signings as Anfield boss – but it appears that prospect has now cooled.

According to the Daily Mail, the Magpies were ready to reluctantly sell Gordon in a bid to comply with financial rules, but talks have broken down owing to a potential swap deal proposal.

The reason given for this is the fact that Newcastle wanted Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah to move to the North East as part of the deal which would have taken Gordon to Anfield.

However, Liverpool were unwilling to part company with Quansah, who they regard highly and was named in Southgate’s initial preliminary squad for Euro 2024 after breaking into the Liverpool first team in earnest last season.

Liverpool could have proceeded with a deal for Gordon had it been different terms, and there is a chance talks could be revived.

But for now, it seems any transfer for Gordon back to his hometown has been put on the back burner.

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