Harvey Barnes rested by Leicester City after news of NUFC transfer
By Cade Cracas
Newcastle United has been heavily involved in transfer talks as the 2023 summer transfer window has run its course. One transfer talk that has ramped up lately is Leicester City’s Harvey Barnes.
In Leicester’s most recent friendly contest, the team opted to rest Barnes, spreading more rumors that the deal has been practically completed by the two sides. If that were to be the case, the attacking core for the Magpies would be drastically improved ahead of their 2023 Champions League appearances.
Barnes was not part of Leicester City’s squad for their pre-season opener against Peterborough United, which all but confirms the recent transfer rumors.
When questioned about the decision to not include him in the 22 players that were involved in the outing, the team said he was rested.
For the Magpies, this is important to make sure that the deal is set and ready to go, with Barnes in full health. The team recently has been rumored to make a £40 million transfer offer that was accepted by the Foxes, so the feeling is that the deal is soon to be complete.
For a 25-year-old like Barnes, this deal could be heavily important for Newcastle.
They have held an interest in Barnes for quite a long time now and are preparing to make a big move in bringing him to the club. He has also come out publicly and said that he would accept the move to St. James Park as the team has drastically defied expectations this past season, and are set to take another step forward in the coming campaign.
Barnes knocked in 13 goals for the Foxes in the 2022-23 season, and with the Magpies looking to find more forwarding power, he can offer that.
Other sides that are interested in the exciting winger are West Ham United, Aston Villa and Tottenham.
While there is slight competition for him, the link between Barnes and Newcastle seems to be strong. Newcastle is looking to push ahead with the deal this week after bringing in AC Milan’s Sandro Tonali, and there is likely to be a negotiation between the two clubs.
Barnes is no easy player to lose, and the Foxes will most certainly be looking for a strong payout in return. For the Magpies, they’ve already brought in a star midfielder this offseason and have youngsters ready to play up top, so overpaying for Barnes would not be on their agenda.
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Expect Newcastle to continue to be active in the summer transfer window, and Barnes could be a name that continues to float around until a deal is made, whether or not it is with the Magpies.