Newcastle are leading the race to sign Leicester’s Harvey Barnes, who is a target for Aston Villa, Tottenham and West Ham.
Eddie Howe wants a new left-winger and one could arrive if he sells Allan Saint-Maximin, who is the subject of interest from clubs in the Saudi Pro League. Newcastle have strengthened in midfield by signing Sandro Tonali from Milan and Howe’s next priority is to bolster his attacking options. Barnes is expected to leave Leicester after their relegation.
Howe often used Alexander Isak, Miguel Almirón, Saint-Maximin and Anthony Gordon in the wide positions last season. Saint-Maximin offers excitement but has struggled for consistency and selling him would boost Newcastle’s budget.
It remains to be seen how much Leicester, who have sold James Maddison to Tottenham for £40m, will want for Barnes. There were suggestions two months ago that Leicester would demand £50m for the 25-year-old, but they could be forced to accept a lower fee after dropping into the Championship.
West Ham have explored a move for Barnes and want more quality on the left. David Moyes will have money to spend once Declan Rice completes his £105m move to Arsenal and is a fan of Barnes, who scored 13 goals last season.
Moyes’s current options on the left, Saïd Benrahma, Maxwel Cornet and Pablo Fornals, are facing uncertain futures. Cornet has struggled with injuries since joining from Burnley last summer and is for sale, Fornals has a year left on his contract and Benrahma could be tempted to find a new challenge.
The Algerian winger scored during West Ham’s win over Fiorentina in the Europa Conference League final in May but he has not always enjoyed Moyes’s trust and a sale could suit both parties.
West Ham will be in the Europa League next season and Villa, who are showing ambition under Unai Emery, are in the Conference League. But Newcastle, who are also trying to sign the Southampton right-back Tino Livramento, are in the Champions League and that could be decisive if they solidify their interest in Barnes. A move from Spurs is less likely given that they are set to sign the Israel winger Manor Solomon.
