Newcastle United have already signed 16-goal Anthony Gordon replacement - supporters may not like it
Newcastle United transfers: Anthony Gordon has attracted plenty of transfer interest heading into the summer window and 2026 World Cup.
Anthony Gordon is looking increasingly likely to leave Newcastle United this summer.
The player’s representatives have been sounding out the likes of Bayern Munich and Barcelona in recent weeks, with Newcastle braced for an offer this summer. Head coach Eddie Howe’s recent handling of the winger has only intensified the feeling that Gordon’s time on Tyneside is drifting toward a natural end.
“Ant has come back to fitness, and he’s training well, but I’m also looking at the future as well,” the Newcastle boss admitted after leaving Gordon out against Nottingham Forest. A quote that felt loaded with meaning.
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Anthony Gordon would be a huge miss for NUFC
If Gordon does leave Newcastle, it will be the second summer running the side has lost a major talent. Since his arrival in 2023, only the departed Alexander Isak has had more goal contributions for United (Gordon 67, Isak 69).
At his best, Gordon is a winger who takes Newcastle up a level. Aggressive, relentless and a nightmare for defenders.
His uniqueness makes him almost impossible to replace.
But that version of Gordon is no longer at Newcastle, and hasn’t been for some time.
There have been flashes, moments, goals, but also frustration. Needless red cards, sulking performances and a general lack of consistency have only fuelled talk around the winger.
And that’s why Gordon potentially leaving the club this summer won’t feel like the disaster losing Isak was. While the spotlight has stayed fixed on Gordon, another left-winger has been building a case of his own.
If I told you Newcastle would look to replace Gordon with a winger who has scored 16 goals this season, including six in the Champions League, you’d say ‘sign him up’. The thing is, they did three years ago.
Anthony Gordon’s replacement?
Harvey Barnes has scored 16 goals for Newcastle despite rarely feeling like the main man in the side. While it’s one fewer than Gordon’s 17, he’s scored twice as many from open play.
Barnes is not as complete as Gordon and isn’t capable of dominating games in the same way. He’s on the periphery, less explosive in the build-up and can’t carry an attack on his back in the same way.
But around the penalty area? In the decisive moments? There is not a more ruthless player at Newcastle United.
Some players influence games over 90 minutes, others can decide them in five. The latter is Barnes.
Gordon, for all his quality, has often left Newcastle short at times through indiscipline and inconsistency.
And there’s a reason the conversation around Gordon is always intense. He attracts attention, even demands it. Barnes doesn’t, but delivers all the same.
This is not to say Barnes is the answer to replacing Gordon. Newcastle still need more, and Barnes’ limitations are clear.
For all his finishing quality, his lack of creativity and contributions in general play often let him down. Creativity from wide areas has been a big issue for Newcastle this season, of which Barnes and Gordon are partly responsible.
Barnes has had opportunities to make the left-wing position his own previously and has fallen short, with Gordon always viewed as the first choice.
But breaking free of Gordon’s orbit will give one of Newcastle’s more underappreciated players a chance to finally rise to the challenge and own the left side.
For all the talk around Gordon, Barnes has spent the past few seasons quietly but regularly reminding everyone what he does best - hurt teams. He tears you apart without lightning pace or mazy dribbling, just ruthless movement, sharp finishing and a knack for delivering at key moments.
There is no doubting Gordon would be a big miss for Newcastle, but that’s not the real story here.