Clinton Morrison admits Newcastle United ‘surprised’ him after agreeing to a transfer with Everton for Anthony Gordon. The winger arrived on Tyneside for his medical this Saturday.
Newcastle have sought to sign Gordon from Everton to strengthen boss Eddie Howe’s side amid a surprise push for Europe. The Magpies rank third in the Premier League through 20 games with 39 points. They have also still only lost once and conceded just 11 goals so far.
But the Toon have been reliant on goals from the right and through the centre for their 33 scored. Miguel Almiron is the lead hitman at St James’ Park with nine over Callum Wilson’s six. Joelinton (2), Allan Saint-Maximin and Jacob Murphy (1) have hit home on the left side.
Gordon, meanwhile, is the joint-top scorer at Everton so far this season with three goals in 16 games. But he struck two whilst operating from the right flank and also featured briefly as a centre-forward. He also only started one of his past four Premier League appearances.
Frank Lampard lost faith in the 21-year-old toward the end of his tenure at Goodison Park as they fought to avoid relegation again. But Newcastle believe in what Gordon can deliver under Howe as they now near his arrival from Everton before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
Newcastle ‘surprised’ Morrison by agreeing to Gordon’s transfer from Everton
Reports by Sky Sports note Gordon arrived on Tyneside for his medical this Saturday after Newcastle and Everton agreed on a £45m fee for his transfer. The Magpies will pay £40m as an upfront instalment plus £5m in add-ons. The Toffees will also obtain a sell-on clause.
Newcastle’s swoop ends months of speculation linking Gordon with a transfer away from Everton. Sky Sports reported in August that Chelsea were prepared to pay £60m after the team failed with £40m and £45m bids. He was ex-Blues coach Thomas Tuchel’s top target.
Yet the Toon have befuddled Morrison after agreeing on a deal for the England U21 talent. The former Crystal Palace star cannot see where Gordon will fit into Howe’s system once a transfer from Everton to Newcastle is finalised and felt the Magpies would look elsewhere.
“I don’t know [where he fits in],” Morrison told Sky Sports News (28/01, 14:16). “It’s great business for Everton, superb business. I thought when Chelsea came in and were offering £60m it would have been great business. And that’s not knocking Anthony Gordon.
“Last season, he had that spell for about seven or eight games where he was outstanding. Scoring goals, assisting and he was really good, looking sharp. [But] this season, he hasn’t hit those heights at all – hasn’t scored enough goals, hasn’t had enough assists.
“Listen, he’s a talented young player but I was surprised when Newcastle came in and they bid £40m because I don’t know where he is going to play. At the moment, Joelinton plays out there, he’s been one of Newcastle’s best players… I thought it’d be someone else.”
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