Newcastle complete the signing of Everton forward Anthony Gordon for £40m

 

Everton forward Anthony Gordon, has been signed by Newcastle for a potential £45 million deal.

After a week of negotiations between the clubs, Eddie Howe's team reached an agreement on a contract worth £40 million plus £5 million in add-ons on Friday. The 21-year-old then underwent his physical on Saturday.

The Newcastle manager will be thrilled to have finally hired Gordon, who was one of his top targets for January.

Gordon said of his move to Newcastle on NUFC TV: "Ever since I heard about the interest, I've been certain Newcastle is for me.

"I think the city's people and the team's current style of play under the coach really suit me as a person, and the club just seems to be moving in the right direction," the player said.

I believe it to be a significant step. People haven't yet seen my full potential. I believe I can really succeed here under the current manager and with the direction the club is taking.

Howe went on to say, "I'm delighted to sign Anthony - he's a top, top talent."

I'm really looking forward to working with him, growing him, and Gordon attempted to hasten his departure by skipping Everton training sessions on Wednesday and Thursday.

There were worries that the deal might fall through because Marcelo Bielsa wanted pace in his team upon taking the manager's job at Goodison Park. 

However, the Gordon transfer was approved after the Bielsa deal fell through and Sean Dyche emerged as Everton's preferred candidate, with the former Burnley manager expected to be appointed soon after.

In the summer, Newcastle had expressed interest in him, but were turned off by a £60 million price tag. As Sportsmail reported on Tuesday, those demands were still in place earlier this week.

However, given Gordon's desire to leave his boyhood club, there was always optimism that a compromise would be reached. 

The star, age 21, could now make his debut against west ham united on Saturday.