Newcastle United were ready to sell winger Anthony Gordon to Liverpool this week as part of a swap deal before negotiations broke down, according to a report.
Rumours surfaced last month suggesting that Gordon had been identified by Liverpool as a potential long-term replacement for Saudi Arabia-linked Mohamed Salah.
The 23-year-old was released by the Reds as a youngster before joining the academy of Merseyside rivals Everton at the age of 11, and he went on to make 78 senior appearances across six years with the Toffees.
Gordon then completed a £45m switch to Newcastle in January 2023 and has since established himself as a star player under manager Eddie Howe.
The winger was named Newcastle's Player of the Year for 2023-24 - his first full season at the club - after scoring 12 goals and providing 11 assists in 48 appearances across all competitions.
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Newcastle, Liverpool to revive Gordon talks this weekend?
Gordon still has two years remaining on his contract at St James' Park, but according to the Daily Mail, Newcastle were ready to sell the winger to Liverpool this week as they endeavour to comply with financial rules.
The England international is currently in Germany with Gareth Southgate's squad at Euro 2024 and the report states that a medical in Leipzig was mooted ahead of a proposed switch to Liverpool.
Liverpool are said to admire Gordon, but they were reluctant to accept Newcastle's proposal that included 21-year-old defender Jarell Quansah heading in the opposite direction, and talks have broken down.
The report adds that the Reds do not want to lose one of their brightest young prospects who enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2023-24, while they also feel that they already have strength in depth in wide areas.
It is understood that Liverpool, now managed by Arne Slot, may have proceeded with negotiations had Newcastle's package been different, and it has been claimed that there is still a chance talks could be revived between both clubs over the weekend.
Liverpool are not the only club who have been linked with Gordon, as Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain have also been credited with an interest.
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Why would Newcastle want to sell Gordon?
Newcastle would ideally like to keep hold of all their star players and build around them as they attempt to improve on last season's seventh-placed finish in the Premier League and challenge for European qualification.
However, the Magpies' financial predicament means that they are under pressure to offload at least one high-profile name before June 30, in order to avoid running the risk of breaching the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability rules.
Gordon is the latest name to be linked with an exit from St James' Park, while uncertainty remains over the futures of Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes.
Isak is believed to be admired by Chelsea and Arsenal, but his £100m asking price is putting both clubs off and the striker is now allegedly in talks with Newcastle over a contract extension.
Guimaraes, meanwhile, was available for £100m earlier this month as that was the valuation of a release clause in his contract, but that clause has now expired and any interested suitors must negotiate a new fee with Newcastle if they wish to sign the midfielder.
Yankuba Minteh is another player who has been tipped to leave Newcastle this summer; the 19-year-old is valued at around £40m and is wanted by the likes of Everton, Brighton & Hove Albion and Lyon.
