Richard Hughes’ remarks are accurate in that Liverpool has demonstrated their interest in Anthony Gordon, a winger for Newcastle United.
It was the equivalent of raising their hand in transfer. The ultimate reorganization of the squad by Liverpool and their revamped hiring staff is almost here.
Richard Hughes, the new sporting director of the Reds, stated during his announcement at the beginning of July that business would not begin to pick up during the summer window until late July or early August.
Remember, more than a month had passed since Liverpool and Newcastle United reached an agreement to transfer Joe Gomez for £45 million. They had also arranged a package that would have seen Anthony Gordon move to Newcastle for £75 million, but the Magpies ultimately decided against the trade.
However, considering Hughes’s prognosis about Liverpool’s anticipated transactions, which was made just days after Newcastle called it quits, it may not have been a coincidence that the news finally surfaced on Wednesday.
Next week, Arne Slot will have his entire team back, along with the rest of Liverpool’s foreign tournament players. Gomez is one of them; he has three weeks to consider his future with the Reds after more teams have shown interest in signing him.
The England international proved two years ago that he wasn’t one to back down from a challenge when he inked a new contract. Nevertheless, aged 27, having played regularly last season—albeit sporadically at center back—and being the only member of the Liverpool team to remain throughout Jurgen Klopp’s reign, it would seem like it’s time to move on.
It’s also evident that neither transfer has completely disappeared.
It was reported in late June that Newcastle had extended an offer to Liverpool for Gordon, contingent on Jarell Quansah moving in the other direction. The Reds quickly rejected the offer, since Quansah is considered a crucial member of their center-back lineup going forward. However, the fact that they later reached an agreement on a deal for Gordon explains their desire for him and the player’s desire to play.
The list of players who, while being close to finalizing a transfer, finally decided against making the suggested move is, of course, lengthy. It frequently occurs.
However, there’s a feeling that Gordon will remain a target for Liverpool for some time to come, as will Newcastle’s unspoken acknowledgement that the winger wants to move to Anfield. The general consensus is that if the player signs with the Reds sooner rather than later, there won’t be much of a surprise.
With the exception of Merseyside derbies, Gordon’s former Everton career is unlikely to be a major problem because the Scouser was a lifelong Liverpool fan and has never disguised his passion for the team.
On the other hand, Newcastle can play hardball. The Magpies can increase the asking price for Gordon because he hasn’t demanded a move thus far and there isn’t a compelling need to move on players. Gordon is 23 years old. Eddie Howe, the manager of Newcastle, believes that the player will be “integral” to his club in the upcoming campaign.
And a cursory look at Liverpool’s roster would lead one to wonder why they would be interested in Gordon. Mohamed Salah is a surefire starter on the right when available, which is usually often, but even though the player can operate on both flanks, they already have an abundance of options on the left.
But opposed to Gordon, Salah is at the other end of his career; he is currently in the last year of his contract and will be 33 next summer. And there are still rumors that Luis Diaz, who started a lot on the left wing for Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain last season, would go.
Gordon’s transfer would make sense for Liverpool’s long-term prospects as well as for resolving a potential problem that might arise sooner rather than later. Additionally, Newcastle now has the financial flexibility to hire a successor.
When Hughes stated that Liverpool should start to make moves in the transfer window in August, he was speaking from experience. Now the cards are securely in place on the table.
