Aston Villa and West Ham target has ‘already accepted’ Newcastle United as Magpies ‘prepare £25m bid’

Newcastle United are closing in on a deal for Leicester City midfielder Harvey Barnes with the player opting for a move to the Magpies, according to reports.

Barnes is poised to move on from the Foxes following their relegation on the final day of the 2022-23 Premier League season, with the likes of James Maddison and Caglar Söyüncü already leaving the club while Youri Tielemans has joined Aston Villa on a free transfer.

Villa, West Ham and Tottenham Hotspur have all been linked with a move for Barnes, who came through the Foxes academy and spent time on loan in the EFL.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims Barnes has already accepted a move to Newcastle, with a move dependent on a deal being struck between the clubs and the Magpies moving on other members of their current squad.

The Daily Mail reports Newcastle are ready to offer £25million for the player, as they are confident a deal can be agreed for a lower fee than the £60million reportedly being demanded by the Foxes.

Barnes scored 13 goals for Leicester in the Premier League last term but was part of the side relegated on the final day as they ended the season two points behind 17th-placed Everton.

The 25-year-old has made 187 appearances for the Foxes, scoring 45 goals and providing 32 assists. Before becoming a first-team regular he spent time on loan with MK Dons, Barnsley and then West Brom.

He was recalled from his loan at the Baggies in January 2019 as he established himself in Leicester’s senior side. Barnes signed a new four-year deal in August 2021, keeping him contracted at the King Power Stadium until 2025.

In other news, Pau Torres is expected to seal his move to Villa this week with the defender set to arrive from Villareal for a reported £33million.