How Barcelona could line up with Anthony Gordon as England star moves closer to Camp Nou move

Barcelona look set to make Anthony Gordon their first signing of the summer season switch window after making swift progress of their efforts to signal the England worldwide.

Simply days in the past, a transfer to Bayern Munich or Liverpool appeared the probably end result for the Newcastle United star, however he’s now on track to swap St James’ Park for the enduring Camp Nou.

The Newcastle man seemingly did sufficient to impress Barcelona’s recruitment crew together with his 17 targets and 5 assists in 46 aggressive appearances through the 2025-26 season.

Gordon shortly reached an settlement with the Blaugrana over private phrases, paving the best way for the 2 golf equipment to enter negotiations over the small print of the switch.

Barcelona have since agreed a £70m take care of Newcastle, who’re set to sanction the ahead’s departure three-and-a-half years after signing him from Everton.

Gordon is now set to bear a medical this week earlier than he turns into the latest member of Hansi Flick’s squad at Barcelona.

Right here, Sports activities Mole appears at how Barcelona might line up with Gordon, contemplating a few completely different positions he might play at Camp Nou.

Gordon in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 with out Raphinha

Gordon has primarily performed as a left winger all through his profession. Because it stands, Gordon could possibly be seen as a direct alternative for his England teammate Marcus Rashford, who has simply accomplished a profitable mortgage spell at Camp Nou.

Barcelona, who’re reluctant to pay the purchase possibility agreed with Manchester United, might nonetheless look to deliver Rashford again to Camp Nou, however Gordon’s imminent signing definitely reduces their want for the 28-year-old.

Gordon could have his work reduce out to match Rashford’s return of 14 targets and 11 assists, however he ought to be capable of contribute extra than simply possession, given his fame as a ahead who’s keen to press onto the centre-backs or full-backs.

That arguably makes him a greater match for Flick’s excessive depth and aggressive method that has made Barcelona among the best groups to observe in Europe in recent times.

If he performs as a substitute of Raphinha, Gordon would both function on the left of the road of assault behind the striker in a 4-2-3-1 or on the left of a entrance three in a 4-3-3.

Both means, Gordon would provide assist to the central striker, which might be Ferran Torres, based mostly on Barcelona’s present squad.

Nevertheless, there’s each probability a brand new quantity 9 could possibly be introduced in to fill the void created by Robert Lewandowski’s departure.

Gordon would even be on the alternative flank to Barcelona celebrity Lamine Yamal, which means he could have to simply accept nearly all of the assaults taking place the appropriate. However that would additionally current a possibility for Gordon, who will be capable of make far submit runs to assault passes or crosses from Yamal’s wing.

Gordon joins Raphinha in assault

© Imago / Professional Sports activities Photographs

There’s a chance that Flick might even see a state of affairs wherein he might play Yamal, Raphinha and Gordon all in the identical beginning XI.

Whereas Raphinha has typically produced his type from the left, he might transfer over to the quantity 10 place to permit Gordon to function out huge.

The draw back of this is able to imply that one among Barcelona’s pure quantity 10s, Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez, must drop right down to the bench.

In actuality, it’s troublesome to see Flick choosing this state of affairs, and as a substitute, he would probably select between Raphinha and Gordon for the left-wing function.

With that in thoughts, there’s a danger that Gordon could need to accept a job off the bench, particularly within the first few months of his Barcelona profession.

Gordon in a 4-2-3-1 because the centre-forward

© Imago / Professional Sports activities Photographs

Barcelona proceed to be linked with Julian Alvarez of their efforts to switch Lewandowski, however Atletico Madrid’s asking value is prone to be a significant stumbling block.

They’ve additionally been linked with Chelsea’s Joao Pedro and Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane, however a transfer for both participant is unlikely to come back to fruition.

Whereas they may need to signal a prolific quantity 9, Barcelona are set to realize a security internet of a brand new backup centre-forward in Gordon.

The 25-year-old was used by the center by Eddie Howe on events through the 2025-26 marketing campaign, and which may be one thing Barcelona might look to implement at occasions subsequent season.

The potential for Yamal and Raphinha taking part in both facet of Gordon will surely make a dynamic ahead line that might be keen to run in behind and stretch the opposition defence.

Such a state of affairs would create gaps in between the traces for a technically gifted midfielder like Pedri or a quantity 10 to take pleasure in.

Nevertheless, Gordon shouldn’t be essentially recognized for his prolific nature in entrance of objective, so this technique is prone to be another slightly than plan A.