Everton are trying to fend Newcastle United off signing Anthony Gordon with the lure of a new contract at Goodison Park.
The Magpies have held high level discussions on Gordon with sporting director Dan Ashworth discussing financial terms with his opposite number Kevin Thelwell on Merseyside. But Everton are reluctant to let the star leave and have already rejected a big offer from Tottenham Hotspur.
A £35million price tag has been mooted for Gordon but Newcastle would seemingly have to blow Everton away with a significantly higher offer. As things stand, Everton are playing hardball on Gordon and wish to discuss the prospect of a new deal for the left winger.
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Toon boss Eddie Howe is an admirer of Gordon but has other irons in the fire and is said to be relatively cool about business so far having landed Nick Pope, Sven Botman and Matt Targett. The Magpies will face Gateshead in a private friendly game at Benton on Saturday with Howe set to take a look at his new boys.
The game is classed as a training match, hence the lack of supporters, and Howe will play two different X1s in the clash against old boy Mike Williamson's side. The Heed won promotion back to the fifth tier of English football last season and will have former United youngsters Owen Bailey and Tom Allan on display.
After the clash with Gateshead, Newcastle will jet off to Austria for training with the backdrop of the Alps. Howe is planning an intense week and the trip will be rounded off with friendly games against 1860 Munich and Mainz 05.
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