Via echo
Liverpool and Newcastle still have the perfect transfer agreement sitting in a drawer somewhere
The latest target at St. James' Park could offer a wildcard way of unlocking the Anthony Gordon deal at last.
It's common knowledge that Newcastle is on the lookout for a center-back.
But it will struggle to get any kind of value in what's left of the transfer window, facing a choice between paying way over the odds for Marc Guehi or pivoting to other targets at the last minute with a very weak hand.
Yet there was an agreement in place months ago that would have seen Joe Gomez join up with Eddie Howe's side, with Gordon coming to Anfield.
True to his word about being opportunistic, Richard Hughes constructed that deal as Newcastle sought a way out of its PSR crisis.
In the end, selling Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh allowed Newcastle to navigate June 30 without losing Gordon.
But Howe has admitted that financial restrictions are still likely to inform business, and the previously-agreed deal would secure the club a big payday and a great center-back in one fell swoop.
Is Guehi better than Gomez? He's certainly got more potential, due to his age, but the Liverpool man is still only 27 himself
Gomez has plenty of games left in the tank, but with a wealth of Premier League and Champions League experience.
Gomez was left out of Liverpool's first squad of the season as he explores his options.
Reviving the de-facto swap would work well for everyone, especially if Newcastle could sign someone able to pick up some of the slack from Gordon in attack.
According to the Mirror, Newcastle is considering a loan for Noni Madueke of Chelsea.
Transfer activity at Stamford Bridge has threatened his standing, and he may move before the end of the window.
It's probably not intended as a deal to replace Gordon. For one thing, Madueke plays almost exclusively off the right, whereas Gordon prefers the left.
But another attacking option through the door at Newcastle — one with similar instincts to get at his defender and make things happen — could pave the way for a future where the front line is not reliant on Gordon's contributions
Ending the transfer window with Madueke, Alexander Isak, Harvey Barnes, Callum Wilson, Jacob Murphy and Miguel Almiron would not leave Newcastle chronically short on firepower.
And the Gomez deal would leave Newcastle $39m (£30m/€35m) in the black, leaving the option of recruiting further
The agreement valued the Liverpool defender at $59m (£45m/€53m), with Gordon set to sign for $98m (£75m/€88m).
Madueke would be an unlikely candidate to set the ball rolling again on this one. But as the clock ticks down, Newcastle might come to realize that it's the best option on the table.
Comments