Barcelona has completed the signing of winger Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United on a five-year contract, the club confirmed on Friday. Financial details were not disclosed, but British media reported an initial fee of €80 million (approximately $93.29 million), excluding add-ons.
Gordon, 25, enjoyed an impressive season, scoring 17 goals across all competitions for Newcastle, including 10 in the Champions League from 12 matches. He also led the Magpies in dribbles completed.
“As soon as I knew Barcelona were interested, I didn’t hesitate. This is what I dreamed of as a child,” Gordon said at his unveiling, surprising reporters by answering in fluent Spanish. “I wanted to speak Spanish because when I was young, I believed I would play for Barca. I had a physio at Newcastle, we talked every day, and I told him: ‘One day I will play for Barca, so I want to learn Spanish.’”
Barcelona hailed Gordon as “Newcastle’s top scorer last season” and noted he “impressed in three meetings with Barca in the Champions League last term.” Newcastle, meanwhile, finished 12th in the Premier League and failed to qualify for European competition.
Earlier this month, manager Eddie Howe admitted Gordon might have played his final game for Newcastle amid links to Bayern Munich. But Barcelona moved quickly to secure the player.
“Playing alongside Lamine (Yamal) and the other players is really exciting for me. The more quality players you have around you, the better you play,” Gordon said. “I saw that when we faced them at St James’ Park. We couldn’t string passes together.”
Newcastle drew 1-1 with Barcelona in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 this season before losing the tie 8-3 on aggregate. Gordon joined Newcastle from Everton in January 2023 for £45 million, making 152 appearances, scoring 39 goals and providing 28 assists, helping the club win the League Cup last season – its first trophy in 70 years.
Gordon is part of a wave of English players plying their trade abroad, including Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) and Ivan Toney (Al-Ahli). His England teammate Marcus Rashford has been on loan at Barcelona from Manchester United this season, scoring 14 goals and providing 14 assists, contributing to the Catalan side’s successful defense of the La Liga title.
Sporting director Deco is reportedly still looking for a striker in the summer market, with Spanish media linking Barcelona to Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid.
