Everton give Anthony Gordon ‘coldest send off’ after completing Newcastle move

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    There appears to be no love lost as far as Everton are concerned after the Toffees rubber-stamped Anthony Gordon's transfer to Newcastle.

    The 21-year-old winger moves to St. James' Park in a £45million deal on a long-term contract – just five months after Everton rejected an offer from Chelsea believed to be worth £60million. The Merseyside club were keen to keep hold of their academy graduate, who grew up in the city and joined Everton as an 11-year-old.

    Yet Gordon's conduct has left a sour taste in the mouths of Everton fans after he skipped training for three successive days earlier this week in a bid to force through a move. His actions come in a week where Frank Lampard was sacked as Everton manager with the club struggling for survival in 19th.

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    And Everton clearly had no time for pleasantries as they announced Gordon's sale in a brief statement on their website, which read: "Anthony Gordon has joined Newcastle United for an undisclosed fee. The 21-year-old forward leaves Everton after having submitted a formal transfer request.

    "Gordon joined the Club’s Academy at the age of 11 and made his senior debut as a 16-year-old in a Europa League tie in December 2017. He went on to make 78 First-Team appearances, scoring seven goals."

    Some fans were disappointed their club had let go one of their talented prospects, but the general feeling was Evertonians were glad to see the back of Gordon after his antics – and even happier with the way his exit had been confirmed.

    "Cold. I like it," wrote one fan, with another concurring: "Lovely cold statement about starboy there. Love it Everton" One fan said: "Finally some good news for a change," while another stuck the boot in, writing simply: "So much for loyalty…"

    Gordon had been a fan-favourite prior to his efforts to try and leave the club. He handed in a transfer request back in August after Chelsea came calling but Everton rebuffed their approach, as ex-boss Lampard insisted the "special" youngster would get "better and better"..

    Things haven't worked out for Gordon since, though, with footage recently emerging on social media of fans barricading a road to stop him driving away after a defeat as they shouted abuse at him from outside his car.

    "Since I heard of the interest, I was always convinced Newcastle were for me," Gordon told NUFC TV after completing his move, which will see Everton receive £40m up front with the rest dependent on performance-related bonuses. "I think the fan base and the city really suits me as a person, the way the team are playing under the gaffer at the minute really suits me," he added. "And the club just look like they're heading in the right direction."

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