Newcastle winger search leads to Leeds and Leicester pair

Newcastle have elected for a more focused approach to the scatter-gun one many presumed would be implemented this summer transfer window.

Long-time target Sven Botman, previously of Lille, has been signed along with Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope and Matt Targett who returned on a permanent basis following a successful loan from Aston Villa in the second half of last season.

After strengthening his defensive unit, manager Eddie Howe has seemingly turned his attention to adding firepower in attack.

Aside from Allan Saint-Maximin and the injury-prone Callum Wilson, attacking talent capable of taking the Magpies beyond their 11th-place finish last season run thin.

Therefore, both a winger and striker are high up on Howe’s list of areas in need of reinforcement and the former appears to have taken precedence.

On the flanks, aside from the aforementioned Saint-Maximin, Howe can – at present – call upon Ryan Fraser, Jacob Murphy and Miguel Almiron.

The trio are all honest servants that can play a role within a system or provide cover in times of need, but anything beyond that they can be found lacking.

They registered four goals and five assists between them last season, a goal less and an equal amount of assists to Saint-Maximin’s individual record.

Harvey Barnes the primary target for Newcastle?

Saint-Maximin tends to be fielded off the left which would point towards Newcastle’s new wide player favouring the opposite flank.

That hasn’t been the case considering the players being linked with a switch to St James’ Park, however.

Leicester City’s Harvey Barnes has been the name reported in the past week or so, with Newcastle thought to have developed their interest by enquiring over the player’s situation.

Barnes is a left-sided winger owing to his stronger foot being his right. He thrives when allowed to cut inside to unleash a shot or play a disguised through ball in behind to the likes of Jamie Vardy or Patson Daka.

Taking this into account, the England international isn’t likely to be flexible regarding his positioning.

The latter is also applicable to his current employer’s stance on their academy graduate. The Foxes will drive a hard bargain notwithstanding their recent history in the transfer market but also the reality that Barnes recently signed a new long-term contract.

Newcastle turn attention to Jack Harrison

Considering the difficulty a deal for Barnes poses, higher-ups at Newcastle United appear to have wasted no time in exploring alternatives. Namely, Leeds United’s Jack Harrison.

Harrison signed for the Yorkshire club permanently from Manchester City after a successful season-long spell, helping them to secure promotion back to the Premier League.

A standout performer under Marcelo Bielsa in Leeds’ first season back in the big time after a 16-year absence, Harrison’s form suffered due to his side’s demise in 2021/22.

He still managed to produce a steady output of eight goals and one assist, but there is a sense his full potential is being restricted somewhat at Elland Road.

Reports surfacing on Monday state Newcastle have acted on their interest by offering a £33m bid for the 25-year-old who is contracted until the summer of 2024.

French journalist Santi Aouna, via Foot Mercato, went on to state that the offer was promptly rejected and a fee in the region of £40m is closer to Leeds’ valuation.

It is no surprise that Eddie Howe is pursuing Harrison as an option. The former England youth international is proven in the top-flight and is adept at a pressing system similar to the one his possible future manager is trying to put into practice.