NEWCASTLE are set to move for Leicester winger Harvey Barnes – casting doubt on Allan Saint-Maximin’s future.
Toon value Barnes, 25, at around £35million and hope to seal a deal next week amid interest from West Ham and Aston Villa.
GettyNewcastle are set to bid for Harvey Barnes[/caption]
GettyWhich could lead to the exit of Allan Saint-Maximin[/caption]
Personal terms are not expected to be a problem with Barnes believed to be keen on a move to the Champions League Magpies.
Toon boss Eddie Howe is a long-term admirer but was quoted £60m a year ago, with a cut-price deal now on the cards following Leicester’s relegation.
Barnes, capped once by England, bagged 13 goals last season and has 35 strikes and 25 assists in 146 Prem games.
West Ham identified Barnes as a top target but Newcastle have stolen a march as the Hammers wait to confirm the £105m sale of Declan Rice to Arsenal.
And his arrival could spell the end for Saint-Maximin, who is fancied by clubs in Saudi Arabia.
The Frenchman, 26, wants to stay at St James’ Park but could be competing against Barnes, Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak for a place on the left wing.
Howe likes Saint-Maximin but the trickster has suffered with injury problems and is one of the few sellable assets the Newcastle manager would be willing to let leave.
The Toon have already added some quality to their team ahead of the Champions League campaign next season.
BETTING SPECIAL – BEST NO DEPOSIT CASINO OFFERS
The club announced the £60million 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.
Tonali, who captained his country at this summer’s U21 Euros, came through the ranks with Brescia and broke into their first-team as a teenager as they won Serie B in 2019.
The ace continued to shine in the top-flight before Milan swooped to sign him initially on loan in the 2020/21 campaign.
TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: All the latest news, rumours and confirmed switches from the world of football