Liverpool are set to miss out on the signing of Anthony Gordon this summer after Newcastle United CEO Darren Eales ruled out selling the winger.
Gordon joined the Magpies from Everton in January 2023 and after a slow first half-season, exploded into life in 2023/24 with 11 goals and 10 assists in 35 Premier League appearances. His form at club level was enough to earn a spot in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for Euro 2024, though he only featured for one minute from the bench in their final group game against Slovenia.
But despite only being able to watch on as the Three Lions went all the way to the final, Gordon remains a hot topic this summer, with Liverpool joined by title rivals Manchester City in being linked to a move.
However, Eales has publicly stated Newcastle’s intention to keep Gordon, along with other ‘core’ players.
“In the end, we had to do the deals that were right for the club (PSR wise), that made us compliant,” said Eales. “So, from that perspective, we did what we had to do.
“But we kept what I would say are our core players, the type of players like Isak, Gordon, Bruno, Joelinton – those players who are our core.
“Now it’s a case of OK, with that new cycle ahead of us now, how can we look to strengthen? How can we look to go to the next level?”
Asked outright if Newcastle will keep Gordon this summer, Eales responded: “Yes!”
However, Liverpool will still have their sights set on another forward this summer as they seek to close the gap on Manchester City and Arsenal under new manager Arne Slot. So, who are the possible alternatives to Anthony Gordon?
1. Crysencio Summerville
Leeds United have already sold the likes of Archie Gray and Glen Kamara this summer but they still face a battle to keep hold of a number of other star players after missing out on promotion. One of those is Crysencio Summerville, who is attracting serious attention after notching 21 goals and 10 assists in 49 appearances for the Whites across all competitions last season.
Everyone from Newcastle to Chelsea have been linked to the 22-year-old Dutch winger, who has scored 11 goals in 37 caps for his country across various youth levels. Liverpool are another club who are understood to be strongly in the race.
Right now, the Reds are priced at 7/2 by Sky Bet to sign Summerville in this transfer window, putting them second only behind fellow Premier League outfit Brighton.
Summerville is capable of playing on either flank, so he would give Slot plenty of cover in forward areas. And, of course, there’s that Dutch connection between the two, which would surely be a deciding factor if Liverpool were battling against any rivals to secure the winger’s signature.
2. Eberechi Eze
Now, Liverpool are only priced at 14/1 to sign Eberechi Eze at present, with the likes of Man City, Arsenal and Tottenham all ahead of him in the pecking order. However, one Liverpool legend has already endorsed a potential swoop for the England international, who joined Gordon in Germany over the summer.
“Gordon will be a good signing but you can’t just keep signing players because you’ve got to keep them happy and if no one’s going to leave why would we keep signing players,” John Barnes said recently, adding: “If Liverpool were to make signings I think with Arne Slot, Eze would probably be a better signing.”
Barnes elaborated: “Gordon under Klopp would have probably been a better signing because he’s much more dynamic in terms of going forward than Eze. Whereas Eze is much better on the ball, coming short, getting the ball. You know, he’s more technical than Gordon.”
Some reports have suggested Eze may even prefer a move to Liverpool over other options, as he feels he has a better chance of establishing himself in the starting line-up at Anfield. Of course, any interested party would have to meet his £60m release clause, with Crystal Palace having no appetite to accept less having already sold Michael Olise to Bayern Munich. And why would they? Eze did, after all, hit 11 goals and four assists in 27 Premier League appearances last season.
3. Mohammed Kudus
Mohammed Kudus is the latest forward to join the list of names linked to Liverpool but given how quickly he adjusted to life in English football, you can understand why.
The Ghana international was a key player for West Ham last season upon his arrival from Ajax, registering 14 goals and six assists in 45 appearances across all competitions, recreating the sort of form that made him such a hit in the Netherlands.
Kudus’ price tag is understood to have risen to a whopping £85m, which is quite the increase on the £38m the Hammers paid for him last summer. But at the very least, Slot would be signing someone he’s very familiar with given how many occasions he faced him during his time as Feyenoord manager.
The 23-year-old is also the most versatile option on this list, having played extensively right across the front line and in central and attacking midfield positions.
