Newcastle United have completed the signing of 25-year-old winger Harvey Barnes from relegated Leicester City. Barnes who signed a five-year contract that will run till June 2028, joined the Magpies for an undisclosed fee believed to be in the region of £39m. The 25-year-old arrives from the Foxes after a long chase for his services with Eddie Howe a long-term admirer of the Lancashire-born player. Speaking to Newcastle’s website, Harvey Barnes said; “I’m delighted. It’s an amazing club and for me it’s a massive opportunity to come and be involved in a successful team that’s doing exciting things, so I’m absolutely buzzing to be here. “I think it’s an attacker’s dream to come into a team like this; it’s high paced, it’s physically demanding, but you can see the rewards of that with the chances and the goals scored, so I think I’ll certainly suit the style.” Barnes, who travelled to Tyneside last week to undergo a medical, is the third addition to a squad which finished fourth in last season’s Premier League with AC Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali and Odense striker Yankuba Minteh, who has been sent out on loan to Feyenoord, having arrived earlier this month. Harvey Barnes playing for Leicester City. Source: Getty A graduate of the Foxes’ Academy, he made 187 appearances for the club, which was relegated to the Sky Bet Championship at the end of last season, and is an FA Cup winner as well as a full England international. Despite scoring 13 Premier League goals last season Barnes could not prevent Leicester from being relegated to the Championship and was also courted by Aston Villa, Tottenham, and West Ham this summer before opting to join Howe. Although Newcastle’s Saudi Arabian majority owners are nothing if not wealthy, their room for transfer market manoeuvre this summer is restricted by Financial Fair Play regulations and Howe appears resigned to postponing his attempts to sign an extra centre-forward until at least January.
Newcastle set to sign Harvey Barnes from Leicester
Newcastle United are closing in on the signing of Harvey Barnes and hope to agree a deal with Leicester City for the winger over the next week. Barnes has been a target of West Ham United, who had been at the front of the queue, and Aston Villa, but Newcastle have stolen a march on their rivals.
Harvey Barnes training at the King Power Stadium. Source: Getty It is expected that Newcastle will submit their first bid for Barnes over the next few days, with the player keen to join the Champions League club. Newcastle’s manager, Eddie Howe wants to increase his options on the left wing and the club is expected to win the race for Barnes, who is likely to cost around £35m. Howe often used Alexander Isak, Miguel Almirón, Allan Saint-Maximin, and Anthony Gordon in the wide positions last season. Newcastle could make space for Barnes by selling Saint-Maximin, who has interest from clubs in the Saudi Pro League, and need to add depth as they prepare to compete in the Champions League. Leicester have been resigned to losing Barnes since their relegation from the Premier League. They had hoped to receive £50m for the England international, who scored 13 goals last season, but are likely to have to settle for less. Newcastle had a bid rejected for the 25-year-old last summer. Harvey Barnes playing for Leicester against Liverpool in an EPL match. Source: Getty Leicester have already brought in £40m after selling James Maddison to Tottenham. They have prepared for life in the Championship by signing Harry Winks and Conor Coady. Newcastle had already announced the £60 million signing of Sandro Tonali earlier this week. The deal made the midfielder the most expensive Italian of all time, £11m more than the £49m Chelsea paid for Jorginho in 2018. The star has penned a five-year contract, which includes the option of a further 12 months, at St. James’ Park and can’t wait to get started for his new club.