- Newcastle signed Harvey Barnes in a reported £38million deal from Leicester
- The 25-year-old will help Newcastle vary their approach play 
- Recommended bet: Newcastle to finish in the top four

Newcastle made Harvey Barnes their third signing of the summer earlier in July in a big-money deal from relegated Leicester City.

The Magpies are preparing for a Champions League campaign and know they need greater strength in depth if they are to compete both at home and abroad, and Barnes provides a fresh option in the wide areas.

The 25-year-old will compete with the likes of Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almirón for a starting role but in truth Barnes is a different type of player to the forwards manager Eddie Howe had at his disposal last season.

Saint-Maximin and Almiron are both direct in their play, while Barnes is a better distributor and gives Howe a different type of option in attack — and he is also capable of delivering from set pieces. 

Howe has captured another goalscorer

Leicester may have been relegated last season but on a personal level Barnes enjoyed a productive campaign.

The midfielder scored a career-high 13 league goals in 34 games but that was by no means a one-off, and over the last three seasons only one Newcastle player has managed more goals than Barnes — Callum Wilson.

Newcastle scored 68 goals last season in the Premier League and that total was fewer than four of their five top six rivals. 

However, the Magies also hit the woodwork 26 times last term — more than any other in the Premier League last season — and missed 69 big chances in total, so having another proven goalscorer on board should allow them to be a bit more ruthless in attack as the ambitious St James’ Park outfit looks to push on further.

Greater variety of option

Barnes may have arrived in a big-money deal from Leicester but he still has to fight his way into the team as Allan Saint-Maximin stands in his way.

There is a chance Howe could find a way to work both into his lineup, potentially playing Barnes in a more central or creative role or utilising Saint-Maximin as a second striker.

Even if both end up battling for the left-wing spot, there should be plenty of opportunities for both men — particularly if Newcastle do manage an extended campaign in European competition. 

Prediction

Barnes does bring European experience having competed in the Europa League and Europa Conference League with Leicester, while he also played once in the Champions League for the Foxes back in the 2016-17 season.

The former Foxes star is not necessarily the kind of marquee capture that instantly elevates Newcastle to serious title contenders but his arrival does improve their squad in key areas. 

Barnes adds a goal threat and provides a different type of option in attack, while he gives Howe the chance to alter his game plan/tactics when required.

As it stands, Newcastle still look like outside contenders for overall glory but the arrival of Barnes means they should be considered serious top-four challengers once again if they can balance a Champions League campaign with their league commitments in the coming season.

Newcastle are 5/4 with LiveScore Bet to claim a top four finish in the Premier League in 2023-24 and, after finishing fourth last term, they will feel they have the tools required to challenge at the top end of the table once again.