Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners face gigantic Anthony Gordon battle

Arsenal will face competition from Bayern for the signing of Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon, reports in Germany have confirmed.

The England international is once again the subject of speculation. For the past two summers, Gordon has been making headlines. In 2024, Newcastle considered cashing in on the 25-year-old to fix their financial issues.

Last year, numerous clubs were linked with a potential move, but nothing came of it. Heading into this summer, Gordon is again being eyed by various suitors after scoring 17 goals for the hit-and-miss Magpies this term.

FootballTransfers has exclusively revealed that Arsenal are showing a strong interest in the Scouser and that they are expected to submit a bid to Newcastle before the season is out. The Gunners need a left-winger and want a stronger English core.

However, in recent days, Bayern have also been associated with Gordon. At the weekend, it was claimed that contact with the player’s camp had been established. Inspired by Michael Olise’s success, the Newcastle star did not rebuff the Munich giants.

Bayern in talks with Gordon

Sky Germany has now confirmed that Bayern are exploring a deal for the 25-year-old. The Bundesliga champions-elect are “seriously considering a move” for the Englishman.

The winger is aware of the interest, and “concrete talks” with his representatives have already taken place, which again suggests that Gordon is not indifferent to the club’s advances.

However, the report emphasises that there have been no negotiations between the two clubs thus far. Newcastle, of course, want to keep hold of their star attacker and are bracing themselves for a summer onslaught for their most prized assets.

Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, Tino Livramento, Lewis Hall and even summer signing Nick Woltemade and academy graduate Lewis Miley are being linked with transfers away. Gordon would be one of the most damaging departures.

Why a move appeals to Gordon – and why he should steer clear

Faced with Bayern’s interest, Gordon must have conflicting feelings about a move to Bavaria. On the one hand, the Bundesliga would be the perfect league for him.

Gordon’s biggest asset is his speed. He struggles to break down settled defences, which is reflected in his statistics this season. He has scored more goals (10) in under 800 Champions League minutes than in almost 2,000 Premier League minutes (6).

“In the Champions League, teams are much more open, they all try to play,” he explained in January. “It’s less transitional. In the Premier League, it’s more physical than I’ve ever known it to be.

“It’s like a basketball game sometimes, it’s so relentless physically. There’s not much control, it’s just a running game. Sometimes it’s about duels, who wins the duels wins the game, or moments.

“The Champions League is a bit more of an older style of game, it’s a bit more football-based, teams come and try and play proper football. I think in the Premier League now you’re seeing a lot more long throw-ins, set-pieces. It’s become a lot slower and a lot more set-piece based, I would say.”

Although Bayern often come up against teams that sit deep, more often than not, opponents will “try to play” – at least in moments – which is where Gordon would thrive. He would be devastating in the Bundesliga.

Additionally, of course, there is the allure of Bayern as a club. They perennially challenge for silverware and are arguably the most attractive team to watch in Europe under Vincent Kompany.

The other side of the coin, however, is that Gordon would not be a guaranteed starter. Bayern are not looking to sign him to replace Luis Diaz or the aforementioned Olise.

They want competition for Diaz, which is why they have so far primarily looked at younger options like Said El Mala and Yan Diomande for that position. Gordon would have to fight for his place against one of the best left-wingers in the world.

There is also the financial aspect. Newcastle won’t sell Gordon on the cheap, yet the fact that Bayern are unlikely to sell El Mala and Diomande is precisely because they have been deemed too expensive. Surely it would be a similar story with the Englishman.

That is not to say that Bayern’s pursuit of Gordon is doomed to fail, but it does raise serious questions from both the club’s and the player’s point of view.

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