I'm not a Scouser, so I am not attached to him in any emotional way. I look at him and see a talented but very raw player who may or may not become a success in the Premier League. Certainly, my feeling has been that if he was not a local boy he would have been held to higher standards. 35m is a very interesting figure for a player who could very well fail to make the grade over the next few years. I think he's got potential - and he wouldn't be on my "sell list" if we could actually sell players - but on its own merits, given his contribution to date, I think it's an intriguing "bid".
I said last season that there isn't a player we shouldn't consider selling if the price was right. I suspect that, politically, Gordon will prove unsellable, but economically there is merit in considering a sale at this price. I'd tell Newcastle to go away and come back with a bigger figure that might help the hierarchy get over their political issues. Local players are important for the soul of the club. For this reason, I'd argue against a sale - but the price is definitely something to consider when you take the sentiment out of things.