Since the PIF took over Newcastle in November 2021, major improvements have taken place at the club. While one of them definitely has been an improvement in their PL status, the owners have had it ensured through brilliant transfer deals, apart from bringing in an experienced manager like Eddie Howe. Although not all of the transfers they completed bore results from the very start, they have had a great lot of signings.
Former Liverpool star acknowledges his bold claims about £45M Toon star's deal
Undoubtedly, one of them has been wing star Anthony Gordon's signing for £45 million in January 2023. While he had quite a few impressive seasons at Everton, spending such a remarkable fee on the winger definitely took a lot to approve, but the Magpies club, having recognized the player's potential, decided to sign him. And since then, Gordon has never looked back.
Recording 23 goal contributions in the 2023/24 campaign, Anthony Gordon emerged as one of the most reliable mainstays at Newcastle. Be it the player's chances creation or his brilliant finish on opportunities, Gordon has impressed club fans, already establishing himself as one of the best in his role in Europe. However, there was a time during his Everton days when a £45 million move from the Toffees to Newcastle raised many eyebrows.
Recently, after the 23-year-old renewed his Magpies club contract, former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy recalled the incident. At that time, Murphy was one of the very few who believed in Gordon's potential, unlike the majority, who considered him not too good. Murphy recalled the incident, mentioning,
"“He’s improving quickly. I saw him at Everton and a lot of people scoffed at the amount Newcastle paid for him. There were a lot of people saying that was over the top, and he’s not that good.""Danny Murphy
However, Murphy, having seen him closely, was much more confident of him performing brilliantly, as eventually happened. Murphy recently said,
"“I sat on here more than once and said that could be a snip. I saw the fire in his belly. He’s quick, goes past people, and can score a goal.”"Danny Murphy
So far in his Newcastle career, Anthony Gordon has had quite a successful tenure, and having renewed until 2029 now, he will hope to have so in the future as well. Although the wing star has had a difficult start to the 2024/25 campaign, Newcastle fans hope the player returns to his best soon, playing a crucial role for the club in the season ahead.