Liverpool have been urged to ditch their pursuit of Anthony Gordon despite the England international hinting he would be open to an Anfield move.
The Reds have been slow out of the starting blocks this summer, with Arne Slot’s side the only team in the Premier League not to have penned a deal for a new arrival so far.
It hasn’t been for the want of trying though. Martin Zubimendi was believed to be one step away from signing, but reports suggest the Real Sociedad star isn’t entirely sold on the prospect of joining Liverpool.
It’s left the Merseyside outfit somewhat in the lurch, not least because the new Premier League season is now less than one week away.
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One of Liverpool’s alternative transfer targets had been Newcastle United’s Gordon, but the six-time European champions have since been told to look elsewhere.
That’s according to Express Sport readers, with 60 per cent of those asked suggesting Gordon wouldn’t start for Liverpool if he agreed to a big-money move.
It was reported last month that Gordon was open to joining Liverpool, with some suggestions the tricky forward had even spoken about the potential switch with his England team-mates at this summer’s European Championship.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe was asked about just this during the Magpies’ pre-season, with the Englishman remaining steadfast about Gordon’s future.
On the 23-year-old, he said: "His mind is on Newcastle, He has been exceptional, focused on his work, fitness, everything to do with this football club. No distractions.
“So I won't talk about individual players but naturally, with incomings there will be outgoings as well.
"What I mean by that, I don't mean literally everyone has a 'For Sale' sign on their head. We are still in a position where Financial Fair Play will affect our decision making. No, we want to keep our best players, and we will fight tooth and nail to do that.
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"That doesn't mean there won't be outgoings of certain players, because there has to be from our side. I don't think Kieran is openly looking to leave.
“He has been very good in training this week and came back with an ambition to fight for his place, like every player does when he comes back for pre-season, fully committed."
Liverpool have until August 30 to get a deal across the line for Gordon or any of their alternative transfer targets, otherwise, Slot will have to make do and mend with what he’s already got.
