Anthony Gordon has completed his move from Everton to Newcastle United.
Newcastle are reportedly paying £40million up front to Everton, with an additional £5m payable in potential add-ons.
Gordon was the subject of intense interest from Chelsea at the start of this season, but Everton rejected their advances and had been hoping to tie the young forward to a new deal.
However, Newcastle and Tottenham also enquired over the 21-year-old, and the Magpies solidified their interest this month.
Gordon has signed what has been described as a "long-term" contract at St James' Park, becoming Newcastle's first signing of the January transfer window as Eddie Howe's team look to push on for Champions League qualification.
The new recruit said: "Since I heard of the interest, I was always convinced Newcastle were for me."
Speaking to NUFC TV, Gordon added: "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, and the club just look like they're heading in the right direction.
"I feel like it's a really big step. People haven't seen what I'm capable of yet. I think under the gaffer, and the way the club's going, I can really excel here."
Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe expects big things, saying: "I'm delighted to sign Anthony – he's a top, top talent.
"I'm really excited to work with him, to develop him, and I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do in a Newcastle shirt."
Gordon's time at Everton ended disappointingly. The academy graduate performed well last season as the Toffees avoided relegation under Frank Lampard, but despite starting this campaign with two goals in the opening five Premier League games, his subsequent performances have been inconsistent.
He missed training on Tuesday in what Stats Perform understands was a pre-authorised absence and was also absent from Finch Farm on Wednesday and Thursday, before returning to Everton's base on Friday.
Cash-strapped Everton are 19th and sacked Lampard on Monday, with Sean Dyche being tipped to be named as his replacement, and Gordon was confronted by a group of fans outside Goodison Park following a 2-1 defeat to fellow strugglers Southampton on January 14.
Gordon is Everton's joint-leading league scorer this term, with three goals, but he has created just eight chances for team-mates and has not provided an assist, recording just 0.5 expected assists across 16 appearances.
Only Demarai Gray (51) has attempted more dribbles in Everton's squad than Gordon (41), but England Under-21 international Gordon has completed just 10 of those.
Gordon has had 26 shots, second only to Gray among Everton players, and his tally of 16 on target tops the charts.
Howe will believe he can rekindle Gordon's best form as he aims to add further spark to Newcastle's attack, having allowed Chris Wood to join Nottingham Forest.
Argentina's training facility named after Messi
Argentina have honoured Lionel Messi's World Cup heroics by naming their training facility after their talismanic captain.
Casa de Ezeiza, in Buenos Aires, houses Argentina's national team set-up, but it will now be known as Lionel Andres Messi.
Chiqui Tapia, president of the Argentine Football Association (AFA), confirmed the news on Saturday, tweeting: "We lived a historic day in our Casa de Ezeiza, which from today will be renamed Lionel Andres Messi, in homage to the best player in the world.
"I want to thank all the managers, players and employees of @afa for having been with us."
Messi dragged Argentina to glory in Qatar last year, emulating the success of the late Diego Maradona as La Albiceleste claimed their third world title, and first since 1986.
"This recognition is one of the nicest I've ever received," Messi posted on Instagram. "A great honour, thank you very much!!!"
Messi scored the 800th goal of his stellar career in Argentina's 2-0 friendly win over Panama on Thursday. The 35-year-old's next goal on the international stage will be his 100th for his country.
Balogun keeping all options open after starring on loan at Reims
Arsenal youngster Folarin Balogun is keeping all options open with regards to his future after starring on loan at Reims.
Balogun has scored 18 goals in 29 appearances for the French side, making him the highest-scoring player aged 21 or under across Europe's top five leagues this season.
The Arsenal academy product has made just two Premier League appearances for his parent club, who already have strikers Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah on their books.
He still has two years to run on his contract at Emirates Stadium, but Balogun is unsure where he will be playing his football in the 2023-24 campaign.
"Contractually I have to go back. The loan was for one year so that was always the agreement," he told Ligue 1's website. "I'm not sure what's going to happen in the future.
"A lot could happen in football, a lot could change, and it just depends on the conversations we have between me and the club in the summer, and we'll see what happens."
Balogun has 17 goals in Ligue 1 this season and is the only player to have scored against Paris Saint-Germain, Marseille, Lens, Monaco and Rennes, who make up the top five.
Asked if he would be interested in staying on at Reims for another year, Balogun said: "Yeah. I mean there's no door that's closed.
"Of course I have had a good year here and to a lot of people it makes sense for me to come back here. I don't know what the future will bring.
"But I would definitely advise young players to come out here. It's a really, really tough league, a league that will help you to improve.
"You get to play in crazy atmospheres. If you're ready to take yourself out of your comfort zone, I would advise any young player, I would advise any young player to come here."
Pedri committed to Barca but not ruling out Premier League move
Pedri plans to stay at Barcelona for "many years to come" but is not ruling out a move to the Premier League.
The 20-year-old has been a revelation since breaking into Barca's first team, establishing himself as a key player for the LaLiga leaders.
Pedri won FIFA's Golden Boy award for being the best young player in Europe in 2021 and quickly forced his way into the Spain team.
The young maestro is contracted to the Blaugrana until 2026 and has no intention of moving on for now, but suggested he may ply his trade overseas further down the line.
When asked about the possibility of a switch to England, he is quoted as saying by Marca: "At the moment, no. I'm at Barca and hopefully I'll stay here for many more years.
"I love LaLiga, but nothing should ever be ruled out."
Pedri will miss Spain's Euro 2024 qualifiers against Norway and Scotland due to a hamstring injury, but is relishing a new era for the national team under Luis de la Fuente.
Having played under De la Fuente at Under-21 level and in the Tokyo Olympics, Pedri believes the new Spain head coach will be a success.
Pedri said: "He is a person who goes straight ahead, he likes to work on the things he believes in and I think we will do well.
"All the coaches who come try to have the ball and play, especially because of the style of footballers we have, and I think not It will change a lot."
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