Jamie Carragher has branded Everton’s inability to use the money Newcastle paid them for Anthony Gordon as an ‘epic failure’.
The Magpies completed a deal to sign Gordon on Sunday. The 21-year-old has signed a long-term contract at St James’ Park, costing £45million in total.
£5million of that figure is in add-ons, but Newcastle did pay Everton £40million upfront to sign the Scouse forward.
It is a deal that makes Gordon Newcastle’s second most expensive signing ever, and he was introduced to fans ahead of Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup semi final against Southampton. The new recruit got an incredible ovation from the St James’ Park crowd, and expressed his delight at the ‘special’ start to his Toon career.
But while Newcastle were welcoming Gordon and planning a trip to Wembley, Everton were failing to strengthen their squad.
The January transfer window closed at 11pm on Tuesday night, and it slammed shut with the Toffees failing to make any new signings.
Their shortcomings in the transfer window could seriously hinder their bid to remain in the Premier League, and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher has slammed his boyhood club.
Jamie Carragher slams Everton for ‘epic’ transfer failure
“Everton are an absolute mess,” he wrote.
“Every time it looks like they have sunk to their lowest point, they somehow find a way to showcase another level of ineptitude.
“To sell one of their few assets, Anthony Gordon, to Newcastle United for £40million without an immediate replacement lined up is an epic failure of leadership from the top, impacting on transfer strategy.”
When Gordon left Everton to join Newcastle, he stated in his interview that he hoped his former club would reinvest the money to give their squad a boost so that they could remain in the Premier League.
However, that did not happen. Targets came and went, but new boss Sean Dyche was seemingly unable to spend the £40million that is now burning a hole in the club’s pocket.
There was a big money bid for Conor Gallagher, while there was also talk of a move for Ryan Fraser. But no one arrived, and they are now worse off than they were at the start of the month.
When they decided to sell Gordon to us, they should have had a replacement lined up. There should have been a clear plan on how the money could be used.
But that clearly hasn’t happened, and it is no surprise that there is mass panic on the blue half of Merseyside. They are very much a circus club that is reminiscent of Mike Ashley’s Newcastle United.