‘Eddie Howe update emerges at Newcastle as Aston Villa eye Harvey Barnes move’
Eddie Howe’s feelings have come out ahead of the summer transfer window as Harvey Barnes is linked with a switch from Newcastle United to Aston Villa.
The in-form winger has nine goals and four assists to his name this season, all coming in the Premier League, and it emerged this had sparked interest in Barnes from Villa, according to the Daily Mail.
Anthony Gordon has usually occupied the left-wing spot for the Magpies, but after losing his spot in the starting lineup, the former Leicester City man has taken advantage to earn a deserved run in the team.
Having multiple attacking stars at his disposal, Howe is on the verge of taking Newcastle back to the Champions League, sitting third in the Premier League table, but transfer rumours have started to swirl already.
Chris Waddle suggested to Football Insider that Newcastle will be forced to sell Barnes over fears of PSR, especially if they finish outside of the top-five spots, and that remains possible with games against Arsenal and Everton.
Despite two matches of the league campaign remaining, the manager’s feelings will not be what Unai Emery wants to hear on Barnes’ future at St James’ Park ahead of the summer transfer window.
Eddie Howe decides on Harvey Barnes’ future at St James’ Park
According to The Mail (15 May), the idea of Barnes and Jacob Ramsey being swapped by Newcastle and Villa was first floated during the winter transfer window by those at Villa Park, with PSR in mind.
There have reportedly been some suggestions of such a deal being revisited, but it is understood that Howe is not keen to lose Barnes ahead of the summer transfer window, having notched eight goal contributions in his last nine starts.
The 27-year-old is also settled on Tyneside, and with Champions League football all but confirmed ahead of next season, it appears far more likely that Barnes will stay at St James’ Park.
| Player | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| Harvey Barnes | 61 | 14 | 8 |
Newcastle United attackers gaining plenty of attention ahead of the summer
Football Insider verdict
While Barnes has been incredible over the last few weeks, his future at St James’ Park is not the biggest of the Magpies’ worries heading into the summer transfer window.
Alexander Isak is expected to leave Newcastle, given strong links with Arsenal and Liverpool, and it might be increasingly difficult to keep the Sweden international once the window swings open.
Newcastle could also lose Bruno Guimaraes, who has become an integral part of the squad that is set to qualify for the Champions League, while Sandro Tonali has been linked with a sudden exit.
Missing out on the biggest European platform would certainly put a dent in the club’s hopes of hanging onto their biggest stars, but fans will not be worried with two games remaining.
Howe’s attention will be on facing the Gunners on Sunday, 18 May, before welcoming the Toffees to St James’ Park on the final day of the Premier League campaign.