'To be honest '- Anthony Gordon opens on Newcastle United transfer that left him stunned
Anthony Gordon joined Barcelona from Newcastle United for £69million in the summer.
Anthony Gordon didn’t believe Barcelona were serious about signing him this summer - until he received a call from manager Hansi Flick.
Gordon didn’t feature in any of Newcastle United’s final six matches of last season in preparation for his exit. It was always the Magpies’ plan to sell the winger to help comply with financial regulations.
For a short while, Bayern Munich appeared to be the frontrunners before the Catalan giants swooped in to secure a £69million deal, just five days after the Premier League campaign ended.
Anthony Gordon didn’t believe Barcelona wanted to sign him
It was a transfer that not only took Gordon by surprise, but football fans across the country. However, the 25-year-old has quickly silenced his doubters.
Gordon is still awaiting his first Barca goal but is currently the top assist maker in La Liga with five assists in as many games.
“For a while, I didn’t believe it was true,” Gordon told RAC1. “My agent told me and I was like ‘yeah, yeah okay’. I didn’t take too much interest because I didn’t think it was so true.
“I then had a phone call with Hansi Flick, so then I knew it was true. So I started to get really excited. I knew from the first time I met him he’d be a good coach for me.
“But, to be honest, it could have been anyone on that call and I would have come to Barca. It is a dream.”
Anthony Gordon on leaving Newcastle United
Two years ago, Gordon came close to joining boyhood club Liverpool as Newcastle risked breaching Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules, but the club sold Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh instead.
During his three-and-a-half years at St James Park, Gordon featured in two Champions League campaigns and played an important role as the Magpies ended their 56-year trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup last year.
"It was really important for me to leave this place in a good way because I've loved every single minute of being a part of Newcastle United,” Gordon said following his departure. “This is an incredible club and one that I'll never forget. I'll be a fan for the rest of my life."