Shearer 'not upset' as Barcelona agree £70m deal to sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle

Barcelona have agreed to pay Newcastle £70 million for Anthony Gordon, with the England winger poised to sign a five-year contract at the Catalan club running until 2031. Barca beat Bayern Munich to his signature, outbidding the German side by £10 million, with the fee to be paid in instalments across the length of Gordon’s deal.

Newcastle legend Alan Shearer said he was surprised Barcelona could commit to that level of spending given the club carries debts in excess of £2 billion and has been locked in a separate dispute with Manchester United over converting Marcus Rashford’s loan into a permanent £26 million transfer. Gordon’s arrival also casts doubt over whether Rashford will remain in Catalonia beyond his temporary spell.

“I think Newcastle have been scarred by the [Alexander] Isak situation and can never be put in that situation again,” Shearer told Betfair. “I mean, clearly, Anthony Gordon wants to leave so, I guess Newcastle’s thoughts are, well, if that is the case, we get what we can for him, and then we start and plan, and never be put in that same situation again.”

Newcastle were able to hold firm on their valuation because Gordon remained under contract until June 2030. The club paid £45 million to sign him from Everton in 2022, meaning the sale represents a healthy profit. In 152 appearances for Newcastle, Gordon contributed 39 goals and 28 assists. This season he recorded 17 goals and five assists in 46 games across all competitions, with much of his most eye-catching form coming in the Champions League.

Shearer acknowledged that Gordon’s league output was more modest — six goals, three of them penalties — but stopped short of questioning the player’s quality. His concern centred instead on the player’s commitment once it became clear he wanted to move on.

“I’m not upset at all that he’s leaving,” Shearer said. “I guess when a player wants to move and has made it clear his heart’s not in playing for the club anymore, that’s fine, you do what’s best for the football club. No one’s bigger than the club, so it’s a good deal for Newcastle, first and foremost, and it’s a really good deal for Anthony Gordon, so, good luck to him.”

Shearer added that the timing of the deal was important, giving Newcastle the opportunity to plan their summer recruitment early rather than being forced into reactive spending.