Newcastle make Harvey Barnes exit ‘U-turn’ after Eddie Howe decision
Harvey Barnes has been heavily linked with a move away from Newcastle United but could now be set to stay at St James’ Park.
That is according to former Man United and Sunderland chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that Barnes‘ recent performances have shown his importance to Eddie Howe‘s side.
The 27-year-old scored twice as Newcastle beat Man City 2-1 last time out, and is starting to show the consistency being asked in Anthony Gordon’s absence.
Football Insider revealed in May that Barnes could be interested in leaving Newcastle in search of more regular first-team football, with the club unlikely to block a move.
However, he remained at St James’ Park, and while they may have been open to offers ahead of the January window, the Magpies are now expected to reject any advances for the winger.
Newcastle make Harvey Barnes exit U-turn
Brown told Football Insider during the summer that Newcastle planned to accept offers for Barnes as a result of his lack of impact on the starting XI.
The former scout, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that the winger will remain important if he keeps up his performances.
“There have been questions about Barnes at Newcastle,” he told Football Insider.
“One of his problems has always been, he hasn’t been able to string together a consistent run of impressive performances at the top level.
“He goes through purple patches every now and then where he shows what he’s capable of, but then he’ll fade out of the team again, and that’s a problem.
“Now, he’s on another of those runs of form where he’s made himself a part of Eddie Howe’s plans and he’s making an impact on the pitch, so Howe will want to keep him.
“If he can keep that consistency, then he will prove he deserves to be starting games.
“I think he’s a very valuable member of that Newcastle squad because when he’s at his best, he can play a big role if somebody like Anthony Gordon isn’t there.
“If any talk about his future comes up again in January, I wouldn’t expect Newcastle to let him go, and that might not have been the case a month or two ago.
“He’s proving he can have a role to play, and if he can keep doing that, then there will be no doubts about whether he will feature for them.”
Newcastle make four-man January transfer plan
Football Insider revealed on 24 November that Newcastle are targeting reinforcements in January, with four key positions on Howe’s radar.
After what has been a difficult start to the season so far, despite their win against Man City at the weekend, the Magpies feel they may have to invest heavily in January.
Howe wants to add a new left-back, right-back, central midfielder and potentially another striker to his squad as concerns have emerged about their depth in all four positions.
Football Insider revealed on 23 November that Newcastle want to sign a striker in January amid concerns about Yoane Wissa‘s injury and Will Osula‘s future.
Meanwhile, Howe is concerned about his midfield options behind the key trio of Joelinton, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes and plans to add cover.
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