Stan Collymore believes Eddie Howe can bring the best out of prospective Newcastle United signing Anthony Gordon as they Everton forward closes in on a move to St James Park.
The England Under-21 star is expected to arrive on Tyneside over the weekend to undergo a medical and complete the formalities of the deal reported to be worth between £40 and £45m after the two clubs reached an agreement on Friday afternoon.
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Gordon will be unavailable to feature in Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg with Southampton but could make his Magpies debut in next Saturday evening’s home game with West Ham United.
The winger will provide United manager Howe with another attacking option after appearing on both wings and as a number nine during his time at Goodison Park. Former Liverpool and Nottingham Forest striker Collymore believes the deal will work for both player and cub - and insisted Howe will be able to make the most out of Gordon’s talents as he looks to guide the Magpies to a successful end to what has already been a memorable season.
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““I think it’d be a great deal for all parties. Everton needs the money, Newcastle needs quality-in-depth and Gordon needs a feel-good atmosphere in order to thrive,” he told Caught Offside.
“Working under Eddie Howe would also mean his best attributes are allowed to shine.
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“Gordon is hard-working, he’s exceptionally quick, really direct and is always looking to get in his opponent’s box. If he did end up joining the Magpies, he’d offer them an element of variety too. The likes of Joelinton could then drop back into midfield and that would allow Joe Willock and Sean Longstaff to be rotated.
“They’ve also got Allan Saint-Maxmin, who I know has been linked with AC Milan recently, but having quality-in-depth and multiple options is definitely something Newcastle need so I wouldn’t be too quick to assume that if they got Gordon, it’d mean someone is automatically going to be sacrificed.”