The Premier League side are now in discussions over a transfer for the Leicester man
Newcastle United are moving forward in their pursuit of Harvey Barnes, with 90Min reporting that the Toon are now in talks with Leicester over a potential deal for the winger.
How many goals has scored for Leicester?
The Foxes forward was on top form for his club during the Premier League last season, bagging 13 goals for his side in just 32 starts. He also bagged an assist along the way – and it meant that he had the second most goal contributions in the squad. He massively outperformed his xG rate when he needed to (he was only predicted to score 8.9 based on the quality of his chances) and his goal contribution rate of 0.46 per 90 was also the second-best in the team for those who started 25 games or more.
The 2022/23 season therefore marked his best in terms of league goals. Prior to that campaign, he had never hit a double-digit tally. When Leicester needed him to produce the goods then in order to fight against the drop, the 25-year-old stepped up to the plate, and while it wasn’t enough to keep them afloat in the top flight, it has now led to interest in keeping him in the top flight away from the Foxes.
Are Newcastle United signing Harvey Barnes?
Newcastle have been heavily linked with a transfer deal for Barnes, whilst Aston Villa have also reportedly been in the running to try and snap him up this summer. It is the Toon though who appear to be the frontrunners, with a recent report suggesting that they had already been in contact over a potential deal.
Now, according to a report from 90Min, Newcastle have further advanced their pursuit of the player. That’s because they are now in formal discussions with Leicester over a switch for the forward, who will be a replacement for Allan Saint-Maximin. It adds that West Ham are in negotiations as well, but the Toon have indeed moved onto the discussion stage for Barnes and it means that a deal is progressing in the right direction.
The once-capped England international has regularly been on the receiving end of praise from those in the game – journalist Josh Bunting stated last year that Barnes was “excellent” and his goal tall showcases that, while Brendan Rodgers once said the 25 year-old is “incredible” and can “score in every game”.
He was indeed one of the shining lights in a torrid campaign for Leicester. When compared with other players in his position across the big five European leagues, Barnes ranked in the 94th percentile for non-penalty goals per 90, also sitting in the top half of wingers for shots, progressive carries and aerial duels, painting the picture of an all-action player who will get stuck in for Eddie Howe and create dangerous opportunities.
With Saint-Maximin linked with a departure this summer and the Magpies set for additional fixtures with their return to European football, adding a player with the pace, directness, durability and end product of Barnes could make all the difference when the games come thick and fast.
Newcastle United have put the feelers out for Harvey Barnes at Leicester, with reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano reporting via Caught Offside that there are “contacts” from the Toon over a deal.
How good is Harvey Barnes?
The winger starred for Leicester in the 2022/23 season and despite the Foxes being relegated down to the Championship, the youngster shone. He played in 34 Premier League games for the side and contributed 13 goals with one assist along the way, but it wasn’t enough to keep his side up. It was though, his best ever goal haul – showing that when the going got tough with his side, he was able to produce the goods.
In fact, the 25-year-old has never ventured away from Leicester on a permanent basis. The only times he has ever played for a club other than the Foxes has been out on various loan spells. He broke onto the scene as an 18-year-old during a stint with MK Dons in League One and was also given a go in the Championship by Barnsley. After bagging six and five goals respectively for each of those teams, he really found his feet in the second tier with West Brom five years ago. That led to him earning a spot in the Foxes first-team upon his return and he hasn’t looked back since.
Are Newcastle United signing Harvey Barnes?
With the side now facing the prospect of at least a season in the second tier though, it means that he could be available, with plenty of clubs higher up the pyramid now sniffing around him. One such side is Newcastle, with the Toon certainly showing a keen interest in bringing Barnes back to the Premier League.
Now, it appears things are slightly further forward for the club, with reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano reporting via Caught Offside that the side have “contacts” over the player but that nothing is “advanced” as of yet. He stated: “Barnes is appreciated by Newcastle. At the moment it’s not particularly close or advanced, but there are contacts, as he’s one of the players they like.”
The England man has showcased his ability in producing the goods at the highest level already, having regularly hit the back of the net over the course of his top flight career. He has a total of 35 Premier League goals to his name for example, with 25 assists to go alongside it. With a goal contribution tally of 60 in 113 starts then, it means his rate stands at an impressive 0.55 – meaning he averages one or the other, every other game.
If Newcastle were to add him to their ranks then, it could be another boost for their squad as they look to challenge in both the league and in Europe. Journalist Josh Bunting has been full of praise for the forward, as he called a strike from the 25-year-old earlier this season “stunning” and “important” for the Foxes. And whilst he wasn’t able to keep them up, he did show he could help lead a team from the front line – and now the Toon seemingly want him to help their attack too.
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