Harvey Barnes joins Newcastle United

Harvey Barnes has completed his big-money move from Leicester City to Newcastle United.

The Magpies released an official announcement on Sunday, confirming the 25-year-old’s arrival on a five-year contract.

Despite refusing to reveal a transfer fee, Newcastle are believed to have shelled out £38 million to get the deal over the line.

Newcastle have been on Barnes’ tail since the beginning of the summer, but they only stepped up their interest last week in light of the imminent loss of Allan Saint-Maximin.

The French speed demon is close to quitting St James’ Park to join Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli in a £40m move after Eddie Howe admitted the club had to sell him to comply with Financial Fair Play.

After four years in the Premier League, Saint-Maximin will soon embark on a new adventure in the Middle East, leaving Newcastle short of reliable options in the front third.

Barnes’ arrival is intended to mitigate the damage, as the English forward comes in off the back of a phenomenal individual campaign with relegated Leicester.

Although the Foxes shockingly failed to preserve their top-flight status only seven years after lifting the Premier League title against the odds, Barnes excelled in 2022/23.

With 13 goals from 34 league appearances, he finished an otherwise embarrassing season for the Foxes as the club’s top-scorer in his most prolific top-flight campaign to date.

Having come through the youth system at the King Power Stadium, Barnes made 187 first-team appearances for Leicester, helping them achieve FA Cup glory in 2020/21.

But a player of his calibre doesn’t belong to the Championship, hence his transfer to Newcastle, where he will have an opportunity to make his Champions League debut next season.

The versatile forward has become the Magpies’ third summer signing after exciting young prospect Yankuba Minteh and highly-rated Italian midfielder Sandro Tonali joined Howe’s side.

He could register his first appearance for Newcastle when they take on Fiorentina at the two-day Sela Cup on August 5.