Former Chelsea striker Tony Cascarino previously used Alexander Isak’s transfer fee as a yardstick to justify Anthony Gordon’s astronomical price tag. Everton are understood to be demanding £60million for the 21-year-old academy product.
Newcastle United stumped up a similar fee to break their transfer record and lure Alexander Isak to St James’ Park. The Swede had already earned 37 caps at international level when the Magpies came calling while Gordon, on the other hand, is yet to make a senior appearance for England.
Disagreement over the winger’s valuation is understood to be the main stumbling block between Newcastle and Everton. Toon chiefs value the player closer towards the £40million mark, with personal terms not thought to be an issue.
READ MORE: Gordon back at training as Newcastle await news from talks with Sean Dyche
Everton priced Gordon out of a move last summer, too. Chelsea were among the front runners to sign the youngster but the Toffees demanded a similar fee. Since then, Todd Boehly has signed several wideman - ruling the Blues out of the Gordon race.
At the time, ex-Chelsea goalscorer Cascarino advocated for his former club to splash the cash. The 60-year-old even used Isak’s then recent transfer to Tyneside as a reason to justify Everton’s demands.
"Evertonians won't like it because they recognise he's a really good player and they want to keep one of their own,” Cascarino said. “Fan bases don't like losing their own – they just don't. Sometimes they can sacrifice someone coming in and losing him, but when they're one of your own, Evertonians will take that a bit differently. He's a terrific footballer.
"The market now, the boy (Alexander Isak) who's joined Newcastle for £60million. He looks like a really good talent, but you would never have got £60million two years ago. He would have been worth £20m.
"People will go ‘how are you spending £60million on a potential player?'. Well, potential is the highest value. Being proven, in some ways, isn't as good as potential now. I think Anthony Gordon has already proven himself as a really, really top talent."
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