Leicester City are reportedly pushing for £40million on the sale of Harvey Barnes, as they feel they can get a “good price” from Newcastle United due to interest from other clubs.
After missing out on James Maddison, Barnes is seemingly the Magpies’ top target. There was a period where it looked like they might be able to sign both Leicester men together, having reportedly lodged a joint bid.
While it would have been good to see both men move to a big club, that bid was rejected, and Maddison opted for another sizeable Premier League outfit in Tottenham
While it won’t be alongside his former Foxes teammate, Barnes could well still get the chance to move back to the top flight. After allegedly making it known he’s keen on Newcastle, a report stated if all goes well, things could be wrapped up this week.
Whether or not that happens remains to be seen, as the Magpies are now being forced to work harder than they might have imagined.
Transfer insider Dean Jones has suggested they’ll have to part with more than the previously reported £35million fee.
“Things are progressing. The Newcastle position has been to make sure that they get value on this,” he told GIVEMESPORT.
“Leicester want about £40million and they can push for that number because, over the last month or so, they’ve had interest from quite a lot of club
“Although Tottenham’s interest has ended because Manor Solomon has come in, West Ham and Aston Villa have also looked at making a move. Leicester feel like they can get quite a good price for Barnes.”
Indeed, interest from other sides might be enough to make Newcastle sweat. While they’re seemingly in the box seat, and crucially are the club Barnes wants to end up at, they’re still not that far ahead of the other sides.
Leicester are right to demand as much as they want for their star. Not only is that because he is a star – having directly contributed to 14 Premier League goals last season – but they know Newcastle will have to pay it if they desperately want him.
They’ll also not want to let it get to a point where the Foxes negotiate with another of the interested sides instead. As such, whether or not they like it, they’ll have to succumb to Leicester’s demands if they want Barnes to become their player.
