NEWCASTLE look set to win the battle to sign Harvey Barnes, beating Aston Villa, West Ham and Tottenham to the capture of the in-demand Leicester City winger.
Although a deal has not yet been agreed, advanced negotiations are ongoing and Barnes is said to be keen on the switch.
The 25-year-old has been at the top of David Moyes' West Ham wishlist throughout the summer but the Hammers dithered while waiting for Declan Rice's Arsenal switch to be finalised.
Villa have also been monitoring Barnes' situation, as have Tottenham, who were keen on signing the winger alongside James Maddison. But it's Newcastle who have jumped to the front of the queue, with increasing confidence that a deal can be finalised in the next week.
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Barnes impressed for Leicester last season, scoring 13 Premier League goals, despite the Foxes suffering relegation to the Championship. Like Maddison, there was an acceptance at the King Power Stadium that Barnes would inevitably move on this summer. Leicester valued Barnes between £40m and £50m, but Newcastle look set to pay less than that.
The arrival of Barnes will raise fresh doubts over the future of Allan Saint-Maximin on Tyneside. He has interest in Saudi Arabia, while AC Milan, Everton and Crystal Palace have all been linked.
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