Newcastle United remain in dialogue with Everton over the possible purchase of Anthony Gordon.
However, sources at Goodison Park insisted last night that Frank Lampard will fight tooth and nail to retain the services of the left-winger. Chronicle Live understands that Newcastle sporting director Dan Ashworth and his opposite number Kevin Thelwell at Goodison have discussed figures on Gordon and what it might take for the deal to be pulled off.
Yet Everton have already snubbed a big offer for the midfielder from Tottenham Hotspur and don't want to lose another star like they did when Richarlison joined the North London club for £60million last week. An agreement for Gordon is still some way off between the two clubs but as the Sven Botman chase proved, things can move swiftly in the summer window - not least with transfer guru Ashworth at the wheel these days.
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Gordon played the whole of last season in the first-team under both Rafa Benitez and then Lampard. Lampard wants him to stay and biuild on his first full senior campaign.
Lampard was particularly supportive of Gordon last season when he was accused of diving to win a penalty in the Merseyside derby. That day Everton lost 2-0 but Lampard said: "I think it would be unfair to put that (diving tag) on Anthony. "I played in the game for a long time and if I changed direction – maybe not as quickly as Anthony – and there was contact, I would go down.
"That isn't simulation, that isn't diving as far as I'm concerned, and that has happened for years and years. The boy is a human and he knows if you get across somebody, it's a foul, you want a penalty because you care. He loves playing for the club."
On the other hand, Gordon knows that he will get the chance to work with another of the game's top young English managers in Eddie Howe. Howe has strong links working with his agency Unique Sports Group and with other clients on board there is a lot of business to be done this summer, not least the departure of long serving striker Dwight Gayle.
As reported exclusively by Chronicle Live, Middlesbrough have been offered the chance to sign the former Crystal Palace striker. But he has other options in the Championship and is mulling over his next move. Gayle was told to train with the Under-21s this week along with Ciaran Clark and Jeff Hendrick. Hendrick was linked with a move to Reading yesterday.
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