Liverpool news as Anthony Gordon speculation returns and star 'rejects' contract

Liverpool is reportedly in pole position to sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle this summer, with the former Everton star potentially costing close to £100 million ($136.2 million) amid interest from Arsenal and Manchester City

Anthony Gordon could be on the way out of Newcastle this summer(Image: Getty Images)

After a poor title defense, Liverpool is already plotting for next season.

With the FA Cup taking center stage this weekend, the Reds find themselves in a disappointing sixth place in the table before resuming Premier League duties at struggling Nottingham Forest next weekend. This comes despite splashing out around $600 million last summer.

Consequently, head coach Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes are under mounting pressure to reverse the club's fortunes, particularly in domestic league competition. Any hope of salvaging this campaign from being deemed a failure now hinges on securing a top-four or top-five finish and claiming silverware. Here's the latest news from Anfield...

Reds leading pack for Gordon

Liverpool is leading the race to sign Anthony Gordon should Newcastle opt to cash in on the former Everton star this summer.

Gordon, who could command a fee approaching £100 million ($136.2 million), has also attracted interest from both Arsenal and Manchester City.

However, according to CaughtOffside, his Merseyside connections mean the Reds are his favored destination.

Given internal tensions at the club following the Alexander Isak saga, it has been suggested that the Magpies could adopt a tough negotiating stance once again.

Gordon scored at Anfield last month(Image: Getty Images)

In the summer of 2024, Liverpool had agreed to sign Gordon to aid Newcastle in complying with Profit and Sustainability Rules.

However, after the Magpies managed to offload Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh, they no longer needed to part ways with Gordon and subsequently cancelled the deal.

Reds target turns down offer

Should the Reds choose to invest heavily in Gordon, they could offset the cost by exploring the free agent market.

One potential candidate is Turkish defender Zeki Celik, who has reportedly turned down a lucrative contract proposal from Roma, according to Tuttosport.

This decision opens up the possibility for a free transfer departure in the summer, with several clubs potentially vying for his signature, including Liverpool, AC Milan, and Juventus, all of whom have been linked with the 28-year-old right-back.

During his stint at Lille, Celik was also rumored to be on the radar of Arsenal, Manchester United, and Tottenham.

Given Liverpool's failure to bolster its full-back options in January, this is an area that requires attention. An added advantage with Celik is his versatility, as he can also play in central defense.