Anthony Gordon makes Newcastle demand after "honest" Eddie Howe chat sealed new deal

Newcastle and England winger Anthony Gordon has signed a new long-term contract at St. James' Park after a summer of speculation linking him with Liverpool and a tough time at the Euros

Anthony Gordon signed a new long term deal at Newcastle and warned he wants to be a “Champions League player."

The England winger has vowed to win a trophy on Tyneside, and says his near “delusional ambition” means Newcastle can qualify to play against Europe’s elite again next season. Gordon, 23, was an £80m target for Liverpool in the summer as Newcastle scrambled to meet the PSR deadline, amid suggestions he has his head turned by the title-chasing Scousers.

But any hint of a deal was axed, and Gordon has been rewarded with a new £6m-a-year contract. Gordon spoke on Tuesday about how it has taken him time to recover from his “lonely” England Euros torment, “mentally and physically.”

Gordon said of his deal: “The aim? Champions League always, and a trophy. We should be ambitious. I am ambitious probably to a delusional extent but if you don’t believe no one else is going to.

"I want to play in the Champions League and as a player that is where I see myself. That is where I should be. I am sure many others in the squad feel like that. Last season’s experience was so good and so bitter in some ways because I don’t feel we should have gone out. With a full squad, and that experience, we can compete.”

Gordon has seen his career take off under Eddie Howe since signing from Everton in January last year, and paid tribute to the Toon head coach as his “perfect match.” He has got 15 goals in 74 appearances plus 11 assists.

Gordon added: “I just think the club’s in a great place. Since the takeover it’s just been up and up. Me and the gaffer are a perfect match in terms of style of play. I love it here. I’m very happy here, I like living here, the team is very suited to me – and I’m here to win a trophy.

"The short story is we need to win a trophy. Winning a trophy here would be unbelievable because the fans have waited so long. To be part of that team who finally does it is a massive goal of mine.”

Gordon’s early season form suffered after a summer warming England’s bench under Gareth Southgate, as well as Liverpool’s interest. He said: “It was hard, the perception being because I didn’t start well that the speculation wasn’t true, but it was that I wasn’t very fit.

"I was sitting on the bench all summer, not easy mentally and physically. Getting back to the swing of things wasn’t easy. I knew I would pick up and get fitter and get back used to playing our style. Mentally it is harder than physically.

"Those opening games I didn’t feel fit. Mentally I went from a season, to on the bench not getting minutes and away from the family for 6-7 weeks and that can be a lonely situation.

“I spoke to Eddie Howe a lot over the summer. He had honest conversations with me about the speculation and nonsense. He didn’t want it to affect me for too long. It was about cutting that down. Three four bad games after the summer is not the worst.”

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