Liverpool remain interested in signing Anthony Gordon despite talks over a deal for the Newcastle winger breaking down this week.
Newcastle have been the focus of various transfer discussions because of their need to generate money to comply with Premier League profitability and sustainability regulations (PSR) before Sunday’s midnight accounting deadline.
On Saturday Newcastle accepted a £33m bid from Brighton for the winger Yankuba Minteh, which appears likely to cover their requirements. But Chelsea had earlier inquired about the striker Alexander Isak. In a surprising development, Chelsea discussed including Nicolas Jackson as part of a deal for Isak. Newcastle have no plans to sell the Sweden international.
Newcastle did not dismiss an approach from Liverpool over Gordon but discussions broke down when it became clear the 21-year-old defender Jarell Quansah would not be offered in part exchange. Gordon is also thought to be on Paris Saint-Germain’s shortlist.
Although talks over Gordon did not lead to an offer, it is understood there is still a chance of Liverpool moving for him this weekend. Gordon, who is representing England at Euro 2024, has been a major success since joining from Everton for £45m in January 2023. His value is likely to have significantly grown in the past 18 months.
Newcastle want to keep the Brazil midfielder Bruno Guimarães, who has been linked with Arsenal and Manchester City, and there is currently little prospect of the club agreeing to sell Isak, who is valued at more than £100m. The cost of signing Isak, along with meeting his wage demands, means that Chelsea would need to include players in the transfer.
There is no suggestion that they are inviting offers for Jackson, who had an impressive debut season at Stamford Bridge, scoring 17 goals after joining from Villarreal. Swap deals have been a theme of this transfer window and there was an opportunistic element to the 23-year-old being offered but Chelsea are happy with the Senegal international.
Chelsea, who have completed the signing of the Aston Villa forward Omari Kellyman, are open to offers for Armando Broja, with the Albania striker receiving interest from Bologna, Everton, Milan and Wolves. Broja, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Fulham, could move this weekend.
Minteh, who has been offered to assorted club and rejected a move to Lyon in the past few days, had been valued at £40m by Newcastle but the club recognised the need to accept less from Brighton. The 19-year-old Gambia winger impressed on loan at Feyenoord last season and has barely set foot inside St James’ Park since signing from Odense for £6.5m last summer.
Minteh had been part of Newcastle discussions with Nottingham Forest aimed at a transfer exchange that would bring Sweden’s Anthony Elanga to Tyneside and send Minteh or Elliot Anderson to the Midlands.
Anderson is a homegrown midfielder much admired by Forest’s manager, Nuno Espírito Santo, but he is understood to have little desire to leave Tyneside and Eddie Howe, Newcastle’s manager, ideally wants him in his squad.
Forest were docked four points in March for PSR breaches but believe they are well on course towards balancing the books this summer, particularly if Elanga is reluctantly offloaded. The 22-year-old former Manchester United winger has impressed enormously in recent matches against Newcastle.
Howe would welcome Elanga’s versatility and ability to play across the front three at a moment when he has become frustrated to see his room for transfer market manoeuvre restricted by PSR.
Meanwhile, West Ham have approached Metz about signing the Georgia striker Georges Mikautadze. The attacker has helped his country reach the last 16 of the Euros by scoring three goals in three games. West Ham, who have also targeted Lille’s Jonathan David, have not had a bid accepted by Metz. The London Stadium club are monitoring the Lyon defender Jake O’Brien.
