FC Bayern is reportedly making a strong push to sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United. The 25-year-old winger possesses a blend of Harry Kane’s forward presence and Luis Díaz’s dynamism, boasting blistering speed that could make him a valuable, albeit costly, backup option.
This summer could see FC Bayern continue its recent tradition of acquiring expensive attacking talent from the Premier League. Following the high-profile signings of Harry Kane from Tottenham Hotspur for €95 million in 2023, Michael Olise from Crystal Palace for €53 million in 2024, and a rumored €70 million for Luis Díaz from Liverpool in 2025, the question arises: will Anthony Gordon be the next to join their formidable attack?
According to multiple reports, FC Bayern is intensely pursuing the 25-year-old versatile attacker from Newcastle United. While he plays a different game than Nicolas Jackson, Gordon could potentially fill the vacant squad spot left by the disappointing loan spell of FC Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson, who will not be permanently signed.
Although Gordon is naturally a left-winger, he has recently been deployed as a center-forward in Newcastle’s 4-2-3-1 system, a formation also favored by Vincent Kompany. «He’s a good false nine, but his best position is still on the left wing, from where he can cut inside with his strong right foot,» comments Jamie Smith, a blogger and podcaster for the Newcastle fanzine The Mag. «He’s a good false nine, but his best position is still on the left wing, from where he can cut inside with his strong right foot.»
At FC Bayern, Gordon could serve as a dual backup for both Díaz and Kane, injecting a new dimension into the Munich club’s play, especially after substitutions, with his immense pace. Gordon is considered one of Europe’s fastest players, clocked at 36.4 km/h in the current Champions League season, placing him eighth on the speed list. For comparison, FC Bayern’s fastest players to date—Olise, Jackson, and Konrad Laimer—have each reached 33.9 km/h. Beyond his speed, Gordon excels in dribbling and demonstrates a committed pressing style, attributes that Vincent Kompany would likely appreciate given the record champions’ relentless work ethic.
Anthony Gordon’s Breakthrough at Newcastle United
Born in Liverpool, Gordon began his football journey at his boyhood club, LFC, but was released at the age of eleven. This led to a significant move to local rivals FC Everton. He made his professional debut at 16 but only became a regular starter four years later, after a mixed loan spell at Championship club Preston North End.
In January 2023, at the age of 21, the newly wealthy Newcastle United expressed interest in him. Everton was reluctant to sell, prompting Gordon to go on strike from team training. Ultimately, he got his wish, transferring to Newcastle for €46 million. After a six-month adjustment period, he had an outstanding first full season with Newcastle, contributing twelve goals and sixteen assists, earning Player of the Year honors, making his debut for the England national team, and participating in the European Championship in Germany.
Penalties, Red Cards, and Links to Liverpool
His rapid ascent has been accompanied by repeated speculation about a return to his former and favorite club, Liverpool. In an interview, Gordon referred to Reds icon Steven Gerrard as his «hero» and a «god.» He also spoke about his deeply red-clad family, who, despite his goals, wished Everton losses in Merseyside derbies. «I don’t have a single family member who supports Everton. Not one.» In the summer of 2024, rumors of the prodigal son’s return to red-hued Liverpool were almost inevitable, but a transfer ultimately did not materialize.
«That seems to have been lingering in his mind a bit since then,» speculates Smith. «His performances have since fluctuated between spectacular and appearing disinterested and ineffective.» Gordon has never been as consistent as in the 2023/24 season, even though he continued to rack up regular goal contributions. In total, he has scored 39 goals and provided 28 assists for Newcastle in 152 competitive appearances. He contributed to twelve goals in this Champions League season alone, despite his team being eliminated in the Round of 16 by FC Barcelona. Almost a third of all his goals for Newcastle have come from penalties. He is as reliable from the spot as Kane, making him a suitable backup for his compatriot at FC Bayern in this regard.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe recently praised Gordon as a «real fighter.» In this, he resembles Díaz, although his commitment sometimes leads him to overdo it—as evidenced by three red cards for Newcastle. «His temperament has already cost us dearly,» says Smith. Last season, it was during the FA Cup exit against Brighton & Hove Albion, and this season, it was during a defeat against—of all teams—Liverpool.
FC Bayern’s Previous Setbacks with Newcastle United
The Reds, along with FC Arsenal, are reportedly still interested in Gordon. It is not only due to this high-caliber competition that a transfer for FC Bayern could prove complicated. According to Sky, FC Bayern is already engaged in «very concrete discussions» with Gordon’s agents, and the player himself is said to be interested in a move. However, he is contracted to Newcastle until 2030 and does not have a release clause.
Munich is reportedly aiming for a transfer fee in the region of €60 million. «However, I expect no less than €90 million for a player who was signed for €46 million as a relatively untested 21-year-old,» says Smith. Newcastle is, in principle, unwilling to part with their key player but may need to generate income in the summer to comply with Premier League Financial Fair Play regulations. This is especially true with the looming prospect of a season without European football. With six games left in the season, Newcastle is only 14th, trailing the international qualification spots by five points.
In the recent past, FC Bayern has already been thwarted twice in the transfer market by Newcastle. In January 2024, Munich sought to sign their right-back Kieran Trippier. They had agreed terms with the player, but were unwilling to meet Newcastle’s transfer demands. Instead, Sacha Boey was acquired from Galatasaray Istanbul for €30 million.
Last summer, Munich pursued Nick Woltemade for a long time in vain before he transferred to Newcastle from VfB Stuttgart for €75 million. «I can only congratulate the people in Stuttgart for finding—I’m putting this in air quotes—an idiot who paid so much money,» said supervisory board member Karl-Heinz Rummenigge at the time. Perhaps the «idiot» will now get his revenge for that remark with his transfer demands for Gordon.
Anthony Gordon: Performance Data for Newcastle United This Season
| Appearances | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards | Red Cards |
| 46 | 17 | 5 | 1 |