News that FC Barcelona have moved aggressively for Anthony Gordon — and could already be close to completing a deal — has come as a major surprise across the football world.

Although speculation surrounding the winger’s future at Newcastle United has been ongoing for months, Barcelona had rarely been mentioned among the frontrunners. Liverpool were long viewed as the most likely destination, while Bayern Munich were also believed to hold strong interest in the England international.

Fee reportedly agreed

Reports now suggest Barcelona have already agreed a transfer fee with Newcastle, while personal terms with Gordon are also believed to be settled.

The winger is reportedly expected to arrive in Barcelona on Thursday afternoon to undergo a medical and finalise the move by signing his contract.

If completed, the transfer would represent a remarkably quick conclusion to one of the summer’s most unexpected transfer sagas. Recent images showing Hansi Flick speaking at length with Gordon after Barcelona’s Champions League meeting with Newcastle earlier this season have now taken on fresh significance.

Although Anthony Gordon is most commonly deployed on the left wing, some may question why FC Barcelona would pursue him given that Raphinha already occupies that role, with Marcus Rashford also viewed as a possible alternative option.

However, the move begins to make more sense when considering how Hansi Flick may intend to use Gordon tactically. During his time at Newcastle United, the England international has frequently operated not only from the left, but also on the right flank and in more central attacking positions, showing an adaptability that could prove extremely valuable.

Gordon as a striker option?

There is also the wider context of Barcelona’s attacking rebuild to consider. With Robert Lewandowski having already departed, and Ferran Torres potentially facing a summer exit due to his contract situation, the club could soon find themselves short of recognised centre-forwards.

That raises the possibility that Flick views Gordon as more than just a winger. His pace, movement and pressing ability could allow him to operate through the middle in certain systems, particularly in a fluid front line.

Even if Barcelona were to secure a major signing such as Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid, they would still require reliable depth in the striker position — something Gordon may be capable of providing.

So why have FC Barcelona targeted Anthony Gordon? The answer lies in both his performances and his profile.

In what has largely been a disappointing 2025/26 season for Newcastle United, Gordon has consistently stood out as the team’s most influential attacking player in terms of quality, consistency and overall impact.

The England international finished the campaign with 17 goals and five assists in all competitions, including an impressive 10 goals in the Champions League, ending the season as Newcastle’s leading scorer.

More than just numbers

What makes Gordon particularly attractive is that his value extends far beyond goals and assists.

His relentless intensity, aggressive pressing and direct running style have become defining features of his game — attributes that have also clearly caught the attention of Thomas Tuchel at international level.

Among players of his generation, Gordon stands out not only for his attacking output, but also for the energy and commitment he brings without the ball, qualities that fit perfectly into the high-tempo system Hansi Flick is expected to build at Barcelona.

Another major reason behind FC Barcelona’s interest in Anthony Gordon is his exceptional pace, both in and out of possession.

His speed makes him a constant threat on the counter-attack, while also giving him the ability to press aggressively and recover possession high up the pitch — qualities that are highly valued in modern attacking systems.

During the 2025/26 season, only Harvey Barnes recorded more fast breaks than Gordon’s 10 for Newcastle United. Gordon also posted an outstanding 62.12% shot accuracy, underlining just how efficient he has become in front of goal.

Those numbers reinforce the idea that Barcelona are not simply signing a winger, but a dynamic, hard-working attacker capable of influencing games in multiple ways.

Harvey Barnes is the only Newcastle United player to narrowly outperform Anthony Gordon for shots on target this season, recording 44 compared to Gordon’s 41.

The pair also lead the squad for total attempts across all competitions, with Barnes registering 105 shots and Gordon close behind on 87, highlighting just how central both players have been to Newcastle’s attacking play.

However, Gordon’s efficiency sets him apart. His 16 big chances converted are the highest in the squad, while his 51.61% conversion rate is also the best among Newcastle players.

In addition, Gordon led the team with 12 shots from outside the penalty area, underlining his confidence and willingness to threaten goal from distance as well as inside the box.

His pass completion rate of 81.8% is neither the highest nor the lowest in the Newcastle squad, but when compared with Barcelona players who often record figures in the mid-to-high 90s, it highlights an area where the 25-year-old still has room for improvement.

It remains unclear whether he would be used as a traditional winger at Barcelona, an inverted winger, or even a central striker, but what is certain is that his crossing ability stands out as one of his key strengths.

In the 2025/26 season, his crossing success rate of 24.44% was bettered only by Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimarães.

With a clear ambition to reach the highest level of the game, Gordon’s versatility and attacking qualities make him an intriguing option for the Catalan side.

Whether the player ultimately succeeds during his spell at Barcelona will only be known in time, although the club can at least be confident that he will always give everything for the badge.

Even if things do not go as planned, Barcelona have not made a significant financial gamble and would likely be able to recoup most of their investment should a sale become necessary.