Newcastle United are now in advanced negotiations with Leicester City for the signing of winger Harvey Barnes.
Eddie Howe is reportedly looking to increase his squad’s depth in the wide attacking areas and is keen on adding the Englishman to the team that finished 4th in last season’s Premier League.
Newcastle are poised to beat the likes of Aston Villa and West Ham if they secure Barnes’ signature as both rival clubs were looking to sign him as well.
The Hammers looked the most likely to land the winger but seem to have missed out as they have been focused on Declan Rice’s sale. They are also looking to refresh their squad as it is reported that Said Benrahma, Pablo Fornals and Maxwel Cornet are all up for sale.
The transfer fee that Newcastle will have to pay for the England international is likely to be around £35 million. Leicester were hoping to receive around £50 million initially but have lost their bargaining power as they have been relegated to the Championship.
The Foxes have already completed the signings of Conor Coady and Harry Winks after selling James Maddison for £40 million as they prepare for life in the second division.
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Barnes could be the Magpies’ second significant signing of the summer after they completed the signing of Sandro Tonali from AC Milan earlier in the window.
The 25-year-old scored 13 goals for Leicester last season but it was not enough to secure their status as a Premier League club as most other players had below-par seasons.
Barnes joined Leicester as a 9-year-old and graduated from the Foxes’ academy in 2016. He went on several loans but started to turn heads at West Brom in the 2018/19 season. He then returned to Leicester and slowly became one of the regulars at the club.
He then received his maiden cap for the Three Lions against Wales in 2020. He has also represented England in the junior age categories.
Barnes can play on either wing but has mostly been deployed off the left throughout his career. Some reports suggest that Newcastle could be replacing Allan Saint-Maximin as the Frenchman is rumoured to have an offer from the Saudi Pro League on the table.
No deal has yet been signed but the deal is said to be well advanced as Howe really appreciates the player and he is keen to join the Newcastle revolution.
