Newcastle United have revived their interest in Anthony Gordon but it looks like a prospective January transfer could go down to the wire. The Everton forward has returned to training with reports suggesting Sean Dyche is set to be appointed as Frank Lampard's replacement.
Gordon's future has become something of a saga in recent weeks, with the young forward the target of fan protests following the home defeat to fellow strugglers Southampton. The 21-year-old was the subject of interest from Chelsea and the Magpies in the summer, and is said to be keen on a switch to St James' Park before Tuesday's transfer deadline.
Eddie Howe is keen for Newcastle to sign a forward following the surprising mid-season exit of Chris Wood, with the head coach warning his squad could be left 'dangerously short'. Gordon returned to Finch Farm after a three-day absence on Friday, with talks over his future expected to be held with Dyche as the expected new manager takes stock of his squad.
READ MORE: Newcastle's unseen Anthony Gordon transfer prep will ease fears after training ground shock
Gordon enjoyed a breakout campaign last term as he helped Everton to avoid relegation, but has lost his place in the starting eleven in recent weeks. Lyndon Lloyd, the chief writer for fansite ToffeeWeb, believes a January transfer to Newcastle could actually suit all parties.
He told ChronicleLive: "Given how his performances have dropped off this season, and the fact that he hasn’t really been a regular starter since before the World Cup, a sale would make complete sense for Everton right now, again, especially given the club’s acute need to raise funds for incoming transfers.
"There’s a fear, of course, that he might blossom into the player that we thought he could be in a more settled team under the guidance of someone like Eddie Howe at Newcastle, but the dire straits in which the Toffees find themselves this month mean that is a risk we have to take. Essentially, we hope it will be more a case of Ross Barkley or Jack Rodwell, who failed to fulfil their early promise, rather than Wayne Rooney or John Stones, who went on to great success."
Gordon began the current campaign in fine form despite speculation over his future, netting in quick succession against Brentford and Leeds United. However, the England youth international's last goal came in October, and the forward has started just once since the World Cup break.
Reports of Newcastle's revived interest in Gordon has drawn a mixed reaction from both sets of supporters on social media. Having turned down Chelsea's advances in the summer, Lloyd feels the Goodison Park faithful would like to see Everton cash-in with the latest approach.
Asked about the fan reaction to the news, Lloyd said: "It was a mixture of relief and optimism, I think. Relief because I think many fans felt that Everton had passed up an offer that was almost too good to be true when they rejected a reported £42m bid from Chelsea in the summer.
"It’s rare to be offered the chance to get so much for an academy product, particularly one so early in this career. Optimism, because any funds from player sales that can be generated this month could be massive in terms of the club’s ability to strengthen in key areas before this month’s transfer deadline."
Gordon initially caught the eye on Merseyside with his 'excellent turn of pace' and his 'trademark' capacity to cut in from the left flank. But an 'increasing lack of discipline and arrogance', coupled with questions over the attacker's end product, has led to Everton fans fearing the academy graduate's head was 'turned' in the summer.
Lloyd added: "Last season, you could have argued that Gordon, Jordan Pickford and Richarlison were the three players who were instrumental in keeping Everton in the Premier league. His tenacity, his passion as an Evertonian and some important goals signalled, perhaps, that we had unearthed the first genuine homegrown talent to come out of the academy in many years and it was clear that Lampard wanted to build a team around younger players of his ilk.
"However, despite being our joint-top scorer with three goals, he hasn’t been nearly the same player this season and he’s dropped out of the starting XI of late. It has undoubtedly been difficult playing in a struggling side but there is a sense that his head was “turned” a little by the interest in him last summer."
The new Everton manager, whether that is Dyche or another contender for the role, could yet put an end to talk of Gordon leaving the club for a another window. But if a deal is allowed to proceed, what would be a fair price tag for the wantaway forward?
Previous reported demands of £60m were recently described as 'laughable' by talkSPORT presenter Simon Jordan, and Howe has warned Newcastle remain wary of failling foul of FFP. Lloyd believes an initial package in the region of half of that figure combined with add-on payments would still represent 'excellent business' for the Toffees.
The Everton fan writer said: "Given how few goals he scores and creates — again, something, a better manager could easily coax out of him — the fees of £40m to to £60m that were quoted in the media last summer were astronomical really, even allowing for the fact that he is English, and potentially has a high ceiling.
"If Everton could get a guarantee of £30m with another £10m to £15m in add-ons and buy a couple of goalscoring attackers before the deadline, then that would represent excellent business for a player who cost them nothing and isn’t helping the cause in the current team."
READ NEXT
Anthony Gordon back at Everton as Newcastle await news from crisis talks with incoming Sean Dyche
Mehrdad Ghodoussi photo excites Newcastle United fans with just days left of January transfer window
Newcastle's forgotten signing faces uncertain future despite comeback ahead of transfer deadline
Alexander Isak and Allan Saint-Maximin's brilliant request they 'always ask' for at Newcastle
Newcastle fear cheeky moment may just give fuming Southampton extra motivation at St James' Park
