‘Newcastle plan to accept Harvey Barnes offer after £50m Anthony Elanga deal’
Newcastle United will be open to offers for Harvey Barnes if they can complete the signing of a new winger in the summer transfer window.
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 the 27-year-old could be open to a move in search of regular football.
However, his exit will only be given the green light if they can bring in another winger amid interest in Nottingham Forest star Anthony Elanga.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider on 8 May that Newcastle could cash in on Barnes to help fund the signing of a new winger.
Bryan Mbeumo had initially been the Magpies top target for the right wing position, but their attentions have now turned towards Elanga.
Football Insider revealed on 15 June that Nottingham Forest will accept £50million for Elanga after turning down an offer of £35million from Newcastle last summer.
Newcastle to make Harvey Barnes transfer decision
Football Insider revealed in May that Barnes could be allowed to leave Newcastle in search of a more regular role in the starting XI elsewhere.
Brown, 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 arrival of Elanga could accelerate Barnes’ exit as he will struggle for game time otherwise.
“Harvey Barnes is a very talented player,” he told Football Insider.
“But he doesn’t perform consistently enough to establish himself in the starting XI.
“Anthony Gordon is their first choice in that position, and they don’t think Barnes is capable of playing regularly on the right-hand side.
“I hear they’ll be prepared to let him go if they can bring in another winger.
“He’s already playing second-fiddle to Gordon, and he would be pushed further down the pecking order.
“So there are question marks about his role in the squad and whether he’d be happy with that.
“They’ve been looking at Anthony Elanga to come in on the right, but he can play on the left too if needed which makes Barnes’ role less important.
“If he wants to play regular football, a move away from Newcastle might have to happen.
“So it could be something that works for both parties, but I don’t think they’ll let him go unless they know they have that replacement coming in.”
Mohammed Kudus update emerges at St James’ Park
Elanga is not the only winger to be linked with a move to Newcastle this summer, as West Ham star Mohammed Kudus is also firmly on their radar.
However, Brown told Football Insider on 22 June that Newcastle are undecided over pursuing Kudus amid doubts about his consistency.
His £85million release clause is also an issue for the Magpies, who would need the Hammers to lower their demands before even considering an offer.
This comes after Football Insider revealed on 9 June that Newcastle could negotiate a lower fee for Kudus as they are not prepared to match his release clause.
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