Liverpool target denied 'dream move' by refusal to meet asking price

Newcastle United are growing increasingly concerned about the mental state of winger Anthony Gordon after he was denied his 'dream move' to Liverpool, according to reports.

With Newcastle known to have been in need of funds before Sunday's PSR deadline, Liverpool made an approach over 23-year-old Gordon, who was released by Liverpool at 11 years old before making his breakthrough on the other side of the city with Everton.

Talks never led anywhere, however, with Liverpool failing to come anywhere close to Newcastle's value of Gordon, which reports suggest sits at over £100m.

TheTelegraph state Newcastle fear Gordon could be left devastated by the club's decision to block a return to Liverpool. He is said to have had his head turned by Liverpool's interest, even at one point believing a deal would be struck, and there are fears that the 23-year-old may return for pre-season in a difficult frame of mind.

In January 2023, Gordon refused to turn up to Everton training to force through his move to Newcastle and there are fears that he could do the same this summer, which would fracture his relationship with supporters and leave Newcastle under immense pressure to sell.

Newcastle plan to try and show their support to Gordon this summer, the report adds, with club officials adamant that a deal with Liverpool will not be struck.

The belief is that Liverpool were merely testing the waters in the wake of Newcastle's PSR issues, which have since been addressed by the sales of Yankuba Minteh and Elliot Anderson for the best part of £70m.

Newcastle do not expect Liverpool to reignite their interest and instead will urge Gordon, whose contract still has two years left to run, to keep his head down and focus on helping the Magpies once again next summer.

Liverpool's current wide left options include Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz, who has regularly been linked with a move to Catalan giants Barcelona despite their precarious financial situation.

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