The Premier League has not seen an arms race quite like it before in January. From Mykhailo Mudryk and Cody Gakpo to Leandro Trossard and Arnaut Danjuma, a host of top clubs have strengthened their attack - and Newcastle United are no different.
Following Chris Wood's unexpected departure to Nottingham Forest earlier this month, Eddie Howe wanted to bring in a replacement for a player who, at the very least, was reliable and stayed fit. Howe made it clear that he was not just searching for 'another Wood' but, equally, the Newcastle boss needed a forward who was 'ready to play' right away like the New Zealand international was. Howe believes he has found that man in Anthony Gordon.
Before you even address Gordon's potential, the 21-year-old has already played 65 Premier League games for Everton and is used to the pace and physicality of the top-flight unlike a similarly aged player on the continent. That was an obvious advantage to this £40m deal in a month where Newcastle could have gone foreign.
