At the time of writing this, it was claimed that Newcastle United were not willing to spend more than £45m on the potential signing of the Everton youngster Anthony Gordon this month.

What's the latest?

Eddie Howe's side are still looking to make their first signing of the January transfer window but the 21-year-old winger now appears to be coming in as the first, as Fabrizio Romano has said he's set to sign.

However, this comes after a move for Gordon in the summer was valued in the region of £60m amid interest from the likes of Chelsea.

And, speaking on the Ranks FC Patreon page, insider Dean Jones suggested the Magpies were not willing to pay more than £45m for the 21-year-old:

(23:30) "I'm told that Newcastle wouldn't go any higher than £45m for Anthony Gordon. And I would suggest that's probably a reasonable place to set your stall out."

A big risk?

Since PIF's takeover in the latter stages of 2021, the Magpies have prided themselves on bringing in players who suit the environment Howe is building on Tyneside.

Although the Toon are backed by the richest owners in world football, they have not been willing to pay over the odds for players of interest.

This can be seen through the likes of Moussa Diaby and James Maddison with the Toon walking away from their £60m price tags.

And this has potentially proven a smart tactic from the Magpies by not setting a prescient of being willing to part with big money for a player they like and cave into the selling club's demands.

However, there have to be some doubts cast overspending up to £45m for Gordon who has struggled to really prove what he is capable of in the Premier League.

The 21-year-old only has seven goals and eight assists to his name across the 79 appearances he has made in an Everton shirt (via Transfermarkt).

And perhaps a fresh concern for Howe could be the player's attitude at Finch Farm having skipped training multiple times this week amid the interest from Newcastle.

Reports suggest that Howe would not be interested in bringing big egos into the Newcastle dressing room and we do wonder what the 45-year-old will be thinking about Gordon's disruptive behaviour of late.

However, it is apparent some have high hopes for Gordon, so the Magpies will be really pleased to have got him for £40 million, which falls under their supposed fee they were looking to spend.