Pundit shares emphatic Newcastle United claim amid £50m Harvey Barnes update
Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed Newcastle will not be able to sign Leicester “star man” Harvey Barnes for any price.
The former Aston Villa striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the Foxes would be consigning themselves to mid-table mediocrity if they sell the 24-year-old to the cash-rich Magpies.
According to The Sun (23 July), Newcastle are targeting a move for Barnes this summer – but Leicester are demanding a fee of £50million for his services.
Football Insider revealed earlier this month (6 July) that the Magpies have submitted a £35million bid for Everton sensation Anthony Gordon – as they target a new wide man this summer.
Versatile attacker Barnes notched 11 goals and 14 assists in 47 outings last term and is under contract until June 2025.
However, Agbonlahor insisted Barnes and Gordon are “indispensable” to their respective clubs – making a deal “impossible”.
He told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “I think Barnes would be a good signing for Newcastle.
“But I just can’t see Leicester letting him go. They’ve not signed anyone this summer – there’s no way they will let their star man go. It’s impossible.
“No matter what Newcastle offer, they can’t get rid of Barnes. If they do, they’ll be a mid-table club next season.
“He’s so key to what they do in that midfield. I feel like Gordon and Barnes are just indispensable to their clubs.
“Newcastle have got the money, but as they’re finding out – there are just certain players you can’t get.”
Newcastle have signed Nick Pope, Matt Targett, and Sven Botman thus far this summer.
The Magpies kick off their Premier League campaign against Nottingham Forest on 6 August.
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