Anthony Gordon Reveals Why He Swapped Newcastle for Barcelona Newcastle 2026

Key Points

• Transfer: Anthony Gordon pulled off an eye-catching £69 million transfer move from Newcastle United to FC Barcelona early in the summer transfer window, before the player made his country debut for England in the World Cup.
• Decisive Phone Call: The 25-year-old wing stated that initial offers from the Spanish team were not able to make him shift his allegiance, but then a call from FC Barcelona boss Hansi Flick motivated him by sharing his philosophy with him.
• Quick Success on Pitch: Gordon has already started performing well at Spotify Camp Nou, as he provided five assists in his first five games of the La Liga competition, helping FC Barcelona earn full points at the top of the league table.
• Dream Come True: Gordon said that playing for Barcelona had been one of his dreams since childhood as he used to wear the number 10 jersey of Barcelona with Messi’s name printed on its back and was a fan of Guardiola’s Barcelona side.
• Explanation of Deco: FC Barcelona Sporting Director Deco explained that they decided to sign Gordon rather than extending the loan agreement with Marcus Rashford as he suits Hansi Flick’s high-pressure tactics.

Newcastle (New Castle Time) September 15, 2026 – In a major European transfer disclosure, former Newcastle United winger Anthony Gordon has opened up about the pivotal moment that convinced him to swap St James’ Park for FC Barcelona in a lucrative £69m deal at the start of the summer transfer window. The 25-year-old England international admitted that while early market speculation failed to alter his focus, a personal phone call from Catalan head coach Hansi Flick completely transformed his perspective and sealed his departure from Tyneside.

As reported by journalists Tom Victor and Maria Ortega of Chronicle Live, Gordon was initially unphased by background rumblings linking him with a switch to La Liga. However, the direct intervention of the German manager transformed interest into action, setting in motion one of the most eye-catching moves of the summer trading period prior to Gordon representing England at the World Cup.

How Did Hansi Flick Convince Anthony Gordon to Join FC Barcelona?

The crucial turning point in the transfer pursuit occurred when Hansi Flick made personal contact with the former Everton and Newcastle United attacker. Speaking directly about the conversations that took place behind the scenes, Gordon admitted that hearing the head coach’s personal pitch provided instant clarity regarding the move.

As reported by journalists Tom Victor and Maria Ortega of Chronicle Live, Anthony Gordon stated in an interview with Spanish radio station RAC1:

“I had a phone call with Hansi Flick and realised it was true, so I started to get really excited. But, to be honest, it could have been anyone on that phone call and I still would have come to Barca. It’s a dream for me.”

The phone call provided Gordon with clear tactical expectations and reassurance over his role in Barcelona’s revamped frontline. Flick outlined how Gordon’s direct running, high-volume pressing, and athletic output were central to the tactical framework being constructed at Spotify Camp Nou.

Why Was Moving to FC Barcelona a Lifelong Dream for Anthony Gordon?

For Gordon, the decision to leave Newcastle United was heavily tied to a deep-seated childhood admiration for the Catalan giants. Growing up in Merseyside, the winger closely followed European football and formed an early emotional connection with Barcelona during one of the most dominant eras in modern football history.

As detailed by Tom Victor and Maria Ortega of Chronicle Live, Gordon revealed that he grew up watching and admiring Pep Guardiola’s famous Barcelona team—which lifted Champions League titles in 2009 and 2011—and possessed a replica Barcelona shirt with Lionel Messi’s name printed on the back when he was just six or seven years old.

Reflecting on the legendary team that shaped his footballing ambitions, Gordon told RAC1:

“That is the best team I have ever seen in my life. They were the best team. I wanted to play for the best team. I’m ready to do whatever it takes to win all four trophies with Barcelona.”

Gordon also expressed profound gratitude for the reception he has received from the Catalan supporters since stepping onto the pitch in Spain. As reported by Chronicle Live, Gordon stated: “Havin

g a fanbase that has applauded players like Messi, Ronaldinho, Xavi and [Andres] Iniesta now chanting my name is something I am incredibly grateful for.”

How Has Anthony Gordon Performed Since Joining FC Barcelona?

Since completing his £69m transition to Spanish football, Gordon has made an immediate tactical and statistical impact in La Liga. Deployed primarily on the left flank, the winger has adapted seamlessly to Spanish football’s technical demands while retaining the physical intensity that defined his play at Newcastle United.

In his first five La Liga matches, Gordon has provided crucial attacking balance for Hansi Flick’s side, recording five assists and helping Barcelona maintain an flawless record at the top of the table. Barcelona currently sit top of La Liga with maximum points from their opening five fixtures.

In their most recent fixture against Levante, Barcelona were given a stern test before emerging with a 4-2 victory. Gordon started the match and contributed significantly to his side’s offensive fluidness before being substituted for German forward Karim Adeyemi, who wrapped up the scoring with a late goal in stoppage time.

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Why Did FC Barcelona Choose Anthony Gordon Over Marcus Rashford?

One of the key storylines surrounding Barcelona’s summer recruitment strategy was the decision to sign Gordon rather than pursuing a permanent deal for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford. Rashford had spent the previous season on loan at Spotify Camp Nou, where he reached double figures for both goals and assists.

However, Barcelona’s hierarchy opted against making Rashford’s temporary stay permanent, choosing instead to commit significant financial resources to secure Gordon from Newcastle United.

As reported by Tom Victor and Maria Ortega of Chronicle Live, FC Barcelona Sporting Director Deco provided an in-depth explanation regarding the club’s scouting process and tactical evaluation. Speaking on why the club prioritised Gordon, Deco stated:

“We are extremely grateful to Rashford. He contributed a lot last season, but our idea of play is much more linked to Anthony.”

Deco further highlighted that Gordon possessed specific physical and tactical attributes required to resolve structural weaknesses identified during the previous campaign.

As quoted by Chronicle Live, Deco stated:

“His style fits with what the coach is looking for. We see every training session and analyse the team. We have a clear idea of what we’re looking for. One of the areas we struggled last season, without Raphinha, was that the team’s energy dropped. It was lost. We needed more intensity. We analysed a lot of wingers. Signing someone from the Premier League is almost impossible, but [Flick] was clear with what he wanted and we worked on a deal from there.”

What Does Anthony Gordon’s Exit Mean for Newcastle United?

Gordon’s departure marks a significant moment in Newcastle United’s recent history. Having signed for the Magpies from Everton in January 2023 for a fee exceeding £40m, Gordon developed into one of Eddie Howe’s most reliable attacking weapons, earning the club’s Player of the Year award and securing a place in England’s international setup.

The £69m recouped from the sale represents a substantial return on investment for Newcastle United, aiding their compliance with Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) while providing transfer capital for squad restructuring. However, his departure leaves a notable vacuum on Newcastle’s left flank, where his energy, direct dribbling, and tracking back were central to Eddie Howe’s high-tempo system.

With Gordon now established as a primary figure in Hansi Flick’s vision at Spotify Camp Nou, his focus turns to helping FC Barcelona claim European glory for the first time since 2015, when Luis Enrique guided the club to Champions League victory.