Champions League-bound Newcastle United remains committed to adding depth of quality to the senior squad at St. James’ Park under boss Eddie Howe, with summer recruitment efforts now reportedly turned toward nearing a completed move for Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes.
Barnes, 25, is one of a cadre of talent that was largely expected to depart the KP Stadium this summer after the Foxes shockingly failed to avoid the drop to the Championship just seven years removed from their historic run to becoming champions of the Premier League.
Leicester has already watched a host of names depart the club in a matter of weeks, with Youri Tielemans, James Maddison, Caglar Söyüncü, Ayoze Pérez, Ryan Bertrand, Nampalys Mendy, and Daniel Amartey all already finding new employment or currently without a club and available for a free move elsewhere. Barnes is now set to be the next name on the list after Newcastle is hopeful of concluding a deal over the next week according to reports from The Telegraph’s Matt Law.
Newcastle closing in on Harvey Barnes deal #nufc #LCFC https://t.co/ddbp7pFpGG
— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) July 7, 2023
Howe’s team has already been reinforced this summer by the arrival of Italian international midfielder Sandro Tonali from AC Milan, as well as young Gambian winger Yankuba Minteh from Danish outfit Odense Boldklub, but the need to add further quality in the forward line, especially on the left, has seen the club view a move for Barnes as a priority this summer on account of the uncertainty that remains around Allain Saint-Maximin.
Barnes’ thirteen Premier League goals last season for Leicester in a disaster of a tactical system bodes well for the Magpies, who will no doubt hope to see a similar return from the English winger under better circumstances.
Per Law, the Foxes are thought to want around £40m for Barnes, but Newcastle hope to talk them down to a deal in the region of £35m. Despite the marginal differences in valuation, a deal is still expected to reach a conclusion in the near future.
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