‘Thank you’ – Harvey Barnes sends heartfelt message after Newcastle exit plan revealed
Harvey Barnes has penned a heartfelt message of thanks online after developments recently emerged around his future at Newcastle beyond this summer.
Barnes has spent two years on the fringes at St James’ Park since a £38million [The Guardian] move from Leicester City in 2023, and he could be set for a move away this summer as a result.
The 27-year-old winger has been favoured by Eddie Howe on occasion, with 17 starts in the Premier League last season, but an exit still seems likely after former scout Mick Brown told Football Insider in May that Aston Villa are interested in a move for Barnes ahead of the new season.
Newcastle recently completed the signing of Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest, and Brown told Football Insider on 21 July that the Magpies are prepared to accept offers for Barnes as he has now been pushed down the pecking order by the Swedish international.
Barnes is believed to be open to a move to Villa due to his ties to the Midlands, and he has written a heartfelt message to Newcastle supporters in the face of links away.
Barnes thanks Newcastle fans after pre-season game
Newcastle have embarked on a pre-season tour of Asia without star man Alexander Isak as he forces a move away from the Tyneside club, but Barnes has travelled with his teammates despite a potential exit being on the horizon.
Howe’s side faced Arsenal in their only game in Singapore on Sunday (27 July), losing 3-2, and Barnes shared a heartfelt message to the supporters that turned out for their clash on Instagram on Tuesday (28 July), saying: “Thank you Singapore” with black and white heart emojis.
His message was reacted to with likes from Bruno Guimaraes, Kieran Trippier, Lewis Hall, Jacob Murphy and Joelinton, among others.
Newcastle should keep Barnes amid tough transfer window
Football Insider verdict
Barnes’ influence on Newcastle has been prevalent since he joined, despite not always being a starter under Howe in big games, and his nine goals and five assists in 33 league outings last term proved how much of an asset he can be off the bench when needed.
The 27-year-old is clearly a valued member of the Magpies’ team, and also has experience of playing in the Champions League with the club before, so could well be given a starring role in the tournament this time around too.
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 63 | 14 | 8 |
As well as that, Newcastle have missed out on numerous transfer targets this summer, and so with an out-and-out left-wing replacement not yet signed, it seems unlikely that the Tyneside outfit would sell him without bringing another winger in.
Football Insider revealed in May that Newcastle would like to keep hold of Barnes this summer, so his future seemingly rests on his own decision to stay or leave, and whether he sees himself as being a back-up player for the Magpies or a regular first-team starter at another top-flight club.