Newcastle United’s pursuit of Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes has taken a fresh twist, with the Magpies receiving a bid of £25 million for Allan Saint-Maximin.
According to Fabrizio Romano, negotiations with Al Ahli are advancing, with a deal for Barnes expected to be wrapped up very soon.
The Foxes would receive a fee in the region of £35-40 million for the 25-year-old.
Barnes was always expected to depart the King Power Stadium this summer after relegation from the Premier League. However, new boss Enzo Maresca will be given significant funds from the fee to reinvest in his new squad.
Maresca has been tasked with an immediate return to the top flight and has wasted no time in improving the Foxes’ squad ahead of the new campaign.
Conor Coady, Harry Winks, Callum Doyle and Mads Hermansen have all joined the club with more incomings expected.
What next for Leicester City?
With James Maddison also departing the club this summer, it is vital Maresca uses the money to invest in some creativity.
Once the formalities are completed and Barnes finalises his move, the Foxes will only have Dennis Praet and Marc Albrighton as attacking options behind the forward line.
However, there is reason to be excited for Leicester fans next season with the signings brought into the club.
Coady is a very experienced central defender and more than capable of still playing in the Premier League, likewise with Winks.
Young defender Doyle excelled at Coventry City last season as they reached the play-off final, and new ‘keeper Hermansen looks like an exciting prospect who is only going to improve further.