'Smart work' - Paul Mitchell has sealed Newcastle United agreement with 'talented' £45m star

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Eddie Howe has praised Newcastle United chiefs and Anthony Gordon for reaching an agreement over a new contract.

It was announced earlier this week that Gordon had signed a new long-term deal at St James’ Park, almost two years on from when he first joined from Premier League riavls Everton for £45million.

The 23-year-old - in his first full season - was crowned the club’s Player of the Year, which helped earn him a place in England’s Euro 2024 squad.

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However, it turned out to be an unsettling summer for the summer. He played just three minutes of football in Germany and was subjected to interest from Liverpool when United desperately needed to raise funds in order to comply with Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules.

But Gordon has put an end to speculation by extending his stay. Magpies sporting director Paul Mitchell played a big part in the negotiations, hence why he was pictured along the player and Howe when the new contract was made public,

“Really pleased for him and for us,” admitted Howe. “I think it is a really smart bit of work from the football club and from Anthony as I think it just cuts out needless noise around his future.

“Now he can really focus on his season, us and performing at his very best level. He’s such a talent and we need him absolutely firing, and this will help him no doubt to get back to his very best.” 

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“It was a difficult summer for him, there’s no doubt about that,” Howe added. “It’s been a difficult summer for a lot of the players because, through no fault of their own, there has been headlines on their futures which can be destabilising and can lead to a lot of needless energy wasted and a lot of distraction.

“Now Anthony had the Euros which was a brilliant experience for him but he maybe didn’t play as much as he wanted so there is a frustration there. But then he’s thrust back into the action here, the season came round very quickly when he barely had much training and hadn’t played at the Euros so I think there was a lot of psychological aspect to just try and deal with, and I think he has handled it really well.

“But I think this move by him just ends any other thought than being at his best for us, which of course is his priority and always has been his priority.”

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