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Barcelona sign Gordon
Barcelona completed the signing of Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United on Friday, with Sky Sports News understanding the fee is £69.3m (€80m) inclusive of add-ons and the 25-year-old presented to the press after signing a five-year contract.
Gordon said, "As soon as I knew Barca was a serious option, there was never any question. I always wanted Barca," adding that "It's the stuff I dreamed of as a child. It really is a dream come true to be here."
The BBC said Gordon spoke in Spanish during Friday's presentation at the Spotify Nou Camp, and it reported he underwent a medical with the club on Thursday after delays with paperwork meant he waited close to eight hours before being officially introduced.
Sky Sports News also reported Gordon finished the season as Newcastle's top goalscorer with 17 goals in all competitions, and it noted he was an unused sub in Newcastle's last four games as the club sought to protect him ahead of an expected summer move.
Spanish remarks and bids
Gordon explained why he answered questions in Spanish, telling reporters, "I wanted to speak Spanish because, as a kid, I believed I would play for Barca, believe it or not," and he said he had a physio in Newcastle and spoke every day about learning the language.
The BBC framed the move as a long-held ambition, quoting Gordon saying he was "excited to play for Barca since he was three years of age" after joining from Newcastle United in a deal worth more than 80m euros (£69.3m).
Sky Sports News' Keith Downie said Gordon's versatility attracted Barcelona, pointing to the two clubs fighting for his signature and noting that only Kylian Mbappe and Harry Kane scored more goals than Gordon's 10 in the Champions League.
ESPN reported that Bayern Munich and Liverpool also expressed interest in the 25-year-old, and it said Gordon flew to the Catalan city on Thursday to complete a medical after Barça and Newcastle reached an agreement over a fee.
World Cup and Rashford
Gordon is set to fly out with the England squad to the United States on Monday for a training camp before the World Cup, which starts on 11 June, and the BBC said he will join compatriot Marcus Rashford at Barca.
The BBC also reported that Barcelona are yet to trigger an option to make Rashford's loan move from Manchester United permanent for £26m, while Sky Sports News noted Newcastle chief executive David Hopkinson said the club may have to sell to buy big this summer.
ESPN said Barça moved quickly to land Gordon this week and that sources told it the deal is worth an initial €70 million ($81.7m), potentially rising to over €80 million ($93.3m) with add-ons, as it described Gordon as part of an attacking shakeup requested by coach Hansi Flick.
Sky Sports News added that Robert Lewandowski is leaving, and it reported Barcelona's pursuit of Gordon alongside other targets, including a mention of Bayern Munich's interest earlier this month and the club's need to manage spending after the signing.
