Arsenal will make a bid for Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon as Mikel Arteta plans a change in transfer strategy that will see the Gunners seek to build a core around English players.
FootballTransfers understands that Arsenal are planning to make a bid for the England star at the end of the season.
Newcastle sources had previously indicated that the Magpies have no interest in selling Gordon this summer, but it is understood that the St James’ Park side will be willing to allow two or three players to leave.
Arteta wants to strengthen Arsenal’s English contingent
Arsenal’s plan to at least bid for Gordon is part of a broader strategy from the North London side to build more of an English core in the squad.
This is part of their thinking behind moving for Gordon and also helps to explain their ongoing interest in fellow Newcastle star Tino Livramento.
It also falls into the pattern that they showed last summer, when they added Noni Madueke to their ranks from Chelsea and moved to sign Eberechi Eze from Crystal Palace.
These players added to a group that already contains Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka as two indispensable members of Arteta’s squad.
Newcastle’s summer plan: Two or three sales planned
Internally at Newcastle, meanwhile, there are increased suggestions that Gordon could leave as part of a summer regeneration project.
While the Geordies expect two or three departures, there is no one yet certain to go. Sandro Tonali looks the likeliest player in their ranks to move on, however.
Gordon, meanwhile, has an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €51.9 million (£45m), though Newcastle would likely demand significantly more to offload a key man to a Premier League rival.
Verdict: Anthony Gordon to Arsenal
Arsenal are not simply interested in Gordon because he is English, though. Arteta’s side want to sign a left winger this summer, with Gabriel Martinelli potentially moving on after a tricky campaign.
According to data analytics firm SciSports’ Career Advice tool, Gordon is a good fit for the Gunners in terms of formation, although there are some concerns over the style of the North London side.
Although he only scores one star in terms of playing time, this is influenced by those players, such as Martinelli, already at the club. Realistically, he will play more than this suggests.
Overall, Gordon gains a Club Fit score of 68 at Arsenal, which is a reasonable but not outstanding score.
He would certainly help to enhance the Gunners’ English core, but Newcastle are expected to be resistant to a deal.
Related stories:
Arsenal working on deal for Gyokeres replacement
Transfer Rumours: Fernandez risks Chelsea wrath with new interview as Man Utd hit with Rashford blow
The FootballTransfers app
Check out FootballTransfers’ new app for all of football’s big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.
The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:
•Google Play
•App Store
