Newcastle United signed Anthony Gordon during the January transfer window, with the 21-year-old becoming the club’s second most expensive signing ever.
The winger arrived from Everton for £45million, with £40million paid upfront and the rest in add-ons.
It was a huge investment from the Toon hierarchy, and one of the most expensive signings of the entire January transfer window – behind Chelsea’s major additions.
However, former Toon boss Sam Allardyce actually thinks that Newcastle have pulled off a bit of a bargain with their deal for Gordon.
Allardyce says Anthony Gordon to Newcastle is the best deal of the window
Speaking on his podcast ‘No Tippy Tappy Football’, Allardyce was asked who he thinks is the best signing of the January transfer window.
“Anthony Gordon, I think, to Newcastle,” he said.
“I don’t know how strong that bid was from Chelsea before the window shut in the summer, which was reputed to be £60 or £70million but to let a young man go, forced his own way out to be fair, which I don’t like. An Everton boy, an Everton supporter.
“But you have to get the best you can. I think £45million is short of the real valuation of what we have seen in some of the players who have been transferred this window.
“But great for Newcastle. I’d say it was a bit of a bargain for them.”
Gordon might get first chance to prove Allardyce right on Saturday
Only time will tell if Allardyce is right. Calling it a bargain is a bit of a stretch, but Newcastle did do well to lower the price.
It was reported last month that Everton wanted £60million for Gordon, which was the fee Chelsea were willing to pay back in the summer.
But Dan Ashworth and co stood firm, and were able to lower the price by £15million.
If Gordon goes on to score 30 goals a season for the next five years then it absolutely will be a bargain, but that is incredibly unlikely. The Magpies have paid a lot of money for him, but it is the premium that comes with young English players.
If he can realise his potential at St James’ Park then he will be well worth the £45million investment.
Gordon was introduced to the Toon crowd on Tuesday night, but was unable to play in the Carabao Cup semi final. He is cup-tied after representing Everton earlier in the competition.
Instead, the youngster will get the chance to make his debut on Saturday night. Newcastle welcome West Ham at St James’ Park, and Eddie Howe is going to be forced into at least one change.
Bruno Guimaraes is suspended, which likely means that Joelinton will move inside. That creates an opening on the left of attack, which Gordon will be eyeing.
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