Newcastle United enter fresh talks over third summer signing - £35m player wants move

Newcastle United have reportedly held fresh talks with Leicester City over signing Harvey Barnes - and there are hopes a £35million deal could be agreed this week.

The 25-year-old has emerged as one of the Magpies’ primary targets over the last seven days after finalising Sandro Tonali’s £52m move from AC Milan.

Speculation surrounding Barnes’ future was heightened on Tuesday afternoon when Leicester said they had “rested” the winger for their behind-closed-doors friendly defeat to Peterborough United.

And according to The Times, United have taken a “significant step closer” to signing the one-time England international after holding fresh talks with Leicester in the last 24 hours. It’s claimed a transfer could be agreed in the coming days.

NewcastleWorld understands Barnes is very keen on making the switch to St James’ Park and has already assessed properties in the North East. With that, personal terms are believed to have been agreed.

West Ham, Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur have also shown interest in Barnes but Tyneside is seemingly the player’s preferred destination given the exciting prospect of Champions League football.

The Magpies asked about signing Barnes 12 months ago but were unwilling to meet his £50m valuation. Following Leicester’s relegation from the Premier League, the figure has decreased.

Barnes finished as the Foxes’ top scorer with 13 goals last season. In 146 Premier League appearances in total, the former West Brom loanee has netted 35 times and registered 25 assists.

That return is significantly higher than United’s current crop of left-wingers Anthony Gordon, Allan Saint-Maximin, Joelinton and Elliot Anderson.

Leicester face Northampton Town on Saturday before heading to Thailand for pre-season at the same time Newcastle are in the United States for the Premier League Summer Series.

Eddie Howe will hope to have a deal wrapped up by then.