July 19, (THEWILL) – Left winger Harvey Barnes is on the verge of joining Newcastle United following successful negotiations with Leicester City.
The 25-year-old, who briefly earned a spot in the England squad in 2020, will be making a significant move to the Magpies after emerging as a bright spot during Leicester’s otherwise dismal 2022/2023 campaign, which resulted in their relegation. His exceptional performance saw him score a career-best tally of 13 English Premier League goals, ranking him among the top 11 scorers in the division across the 38-game season.
The transfer saga took an intriguing turn as West Ham, initially in talks with Leicester for Barnes, faced challenges in progressing negotiations. Capitalising on this opportunity, Newcastle swiftly waded in and ultimately reached a deal earlier this month. The Magpies were willing to part ways with Allan Saint-Maximin, amid interest from Saudi Arabia, to make room for the incoming player.
As Saint-Maximin’s departure nears completion, the stage is set for Barnes to make a mark at St James’ Park. The final transfer fee agreed upon with Leicester City for Barnes amounts to a noteworthy £38 million, inclusive of add-ons. This substantial investment immediately elevates Barnes to one of the most expensive players in Newcastle United’s history, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with signings such as Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton.
Only Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali, and Alexander Isak boast higher costs in the club’s record books. As Barnes gears up for his new journey at Newcastle, his arrival marks the second major departure from Leicester this summer, with James Maddison already transferred to Tottenham and Youri Tielemans making a free move to Aston Villa after the expiry of his contract.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
