Newcastle United are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes.
The 25-year-old has been strongly tipped to leave the Foxes this summer following their relegation from the Premier League last season.
Barnes is a product of Leicester’s academy, which he joined as a nine-year-old back in 2007, and he has since established himself as a key first-team player at the King Power Stadium.
One-cap England international has contributed with 45 goals and 32 assists in 187 appearances for the Foxes across all competitions since his senior debut in 2016, including 13 goals and one assist in 34 Premier League games last season.
Barnes has two years remaining on his contract in the East Midlands, but Enzo Maresca’s side are believed to be resigned to losing the winger this summer amid interest from a number of English top-flight clubs.
A recent report claims that Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur, and West Ham United are all interested in Barnes, while Arsenal have also been linked with the winger, but Newcastle are currently leading the race for his signature.
According to The Telegraph, the Magpies are set to sign the winger and hope to agree a fee with Leicester over the next week.
The report adds that a deal is expected to be agreed between both clubs with Newcastle ready to table their opening offer, but as things stand, Leicester value Barnes at around £40m while the Magpies are looking to pay closer to £35m.
Newcastle are said to have stolen a march on West Ham in the race to sign Barnes, as the Hammers’ pursuit of the winger has been held up by Declan Rice’s big-money switch to Arsenal.
Eddie Howe’s side has held an interest in Barnes since last summer when they saw a bid in the region of £60m rejected by Leicester.
The Magpies boss is said to have identified Barnes as his primary attacking target ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, which will see the North East outfit play Champions League football for the first time in 20 years.
Barnes is set to become the second high-profile player to leave Leicester this summer after James Maddison, who has joined Tottenham for a reported £40m.
Newcastle, meanwhile, has made one statement signing so far this summer in the form of Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali, who has completed a £60.2m switch from AC Milan.
The Magpies are also believed to be interested in bolstering their defensive options ahead of the new season, with Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi, Sporting Lisbon’s Goncalo Inacio, and Juventus’ Leonardo Bonucci having all been linked with a move to St James’ Park.
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