Anthony Gordon knows first-hand the standards he must meet to thrive at Barcelona after lauding Marcus Rashford‘s influence in Spain. The Newcastle winger is poised to join the La Liga champions in a £69.3million plus add-ons transfer. Gordon, 25, is due to undergo a medical following a day of talks between the two clubs.
The England international faced Barca earlier this season in the Champions League when Newcastle suffered a 2-1 Champions League loss at St James’ Park. The winger’s stoppage-time consolation strike wasn’t sufficient to salvage a result, with the Spanish side claiming all three points courtesy of Rashford’s nine-minute double in the second half. Gordon was undoubtedly frustrated with the outcome but acknowledged Rashford’s decisive contributions are what’s needed to triumph at the elite level.
Speaking after the September fixture, he told TNT Sports: “It’s a top level. Rashford scored two goals out of nowhere. It’s got to be the same for us and take the opportunities when they’re presented to us.”
Gordon was entirely complimentary of Barca’s quality as he described their midfield partnership of Pedri and Frenkie de Jong as the finest duo he’s encountered in terms of dictating the rhythm of a match.
Discussing his potential future colleagues, the England star added: “Pedri and de Jong were fantastic. They made it really difficult for us to do our usual press, and they controlled the game. They were the best I’ve played against in that sense of the game.
“To be honest, we are not used playing against players who can keep the ball in this way. We played against top teams like City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, but the way they passed the ball in midfield made it very hard for us to press.”
A switch to Spain is anticipated to double Gordon’s wages to approximately £300,000-per-week as Barca seek to bolster their squad following their second successive league title triumph.
Nevertheless, his arrival casts uncertainty over whether Rashford will ultimately extend his spell with the Catalan giants.
He is currently due to return to Manchester United at the conclusion of his season-long loan. Barca do possess the option of signing him permanently for £26mi, though they have sought to reduce the fee through negotiations.
Rashford has been forthright about his wish to remain in Spain permanently but suggested that staying with Barca was far from certain.
Speaking following their league success, he said: “This is the perfect way I want it to end. I’m very happy, I just want to enjoy today. I live in the moment. At the end of the season we will see.
“I came here to win and we do this so I’m very happy. It’s an incredible feeling. Over the season we deserved it, we were the best team. We had some bad moments but we always come back and fight to improve.”