Newcastle United have reached a verbal agreement with Anthony Gordon (23, LW) over a new long-term contract running until June 2029, a move designed to end persistent interest from Liverpool and Arsenal. According to the Daily Mail, the deal significantly increases the winger's salary as a reward for his 21 goal involvements in the 2023/24 Premier League campaign. While Gordon’s future at St James' Park appears secure, Marcus Rashford (26, LW/CF) remains a target for Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona, though The Athletic reports that Manchester United have yet to receive a formal opening bid for the forward.
Gordon’s renewal and Newcastle’s PSR strategy
The decision to tie Gordon to a new five-year deal represents a sharp pivot from Newcastle’s position in June 2024. As reported by The Guardian, the club held preliminary talks with Liverpool regarding a £75m transfer for the winger to help satisfy the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) before the June 30 deadline. After resolving those immediate financial pressures through the sales of Yankuba Minteh and Elliot Anderson, Newcastle have moved to protect Gordon's market value. Speaking to the club's official media, Gordon stated:
"I am very happy here. I like the project. I’m focused on winning a trophy here."This extension places his valuation in line with other high-output English attackers like Cole Palmer, ensuring Newcastle hold the leverage in any future negotiations.
Rashford’s high-wage market and Klopp’s hiatus
While Manchester United have seen tactical shifts under Erik ten Hag, Rashford’s future continues to attract speculation regarding European interest. His reported £300,000-a-week wage bracket naturally restricts his potential suitors to a handful of elite clubs, including PSG, who viewed him as a long-term option to replace outgoing star power. Simultaneously, reports linking Jürgen Klopp to the Real Madrid post continue to surface despite his recent appointment as Head of Global Soccer at Red Bull. Speaking to the BBC, Klopp clarified:
"At this moment, I am not planning a further career as a manager. I will work in football again, but not as a coach for now."With Carlo Ancelotti under contract in Madrid until 2026, any potential vacancy at the Bernabéu remains hypothetical regardless of Klopp's eventual return to the touchline.
Attention now turns to whether Manchester United will entertain offers for Rashford in the winter window to further balance their own PSR position.