Harvey Barnes receives ‘special’ message from former Toon target Hamza Choudhury after £38m move

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Newcastle United are getting a ‘special player’ in Harvey Barnes.

That is the view of Hamza Choudhury, who has delivered a message to the 25-year-old after his move from Leicester City to Newcastle was confirmed on Sunday.

Barnes becomes the Magpies’ second senior signing of the summer, costing £38million. He has signed a five-year deal, keeping him at St James’ Park until 2028.

He is an exciting addition to Eddie Howe’s squad, replacing Allan Saint-Maximin ahead of his move to Saudi Arabian side Al Ahli.

While Barnes is perhaps not as exciting as Saint-Maximin in possession, he is much more prolific. The England international scored 13 Premier League goals last season, which is more than Maxi managed during his four years on Tyneside.

It will hopefully prove to be a brilliant bit of business by Newcastle, and the Magpies’ newest signing has received a heartwarming message from a player who the club desperately tried to sign before the change of ownership.

Hamza Choudhury’s message to Harvey Barnes after Newcastle move

Choudhury was heavily linked with signing for Newcastle back in 2021. He was a target in January then again in the summer. Steve Bruce was really keen to sign him, only to be told that the club could not afford the loan fee that Leicester wanted.

Fast forward two years and everything has changed. Newcastle are spending big money on top class players, and are going to be competing in the Champions League. Meanwhile, rumours of Choudhury heading to St James’ Park are a thing of the past.

Instead, it is Barnes who has moved to the North East, and the newest signing has received a heartfelt message from Choudhury on Instagram.

Barnes issued a lengthy statement following his move away from Leicester, as he said goodbye to the club he joined at the age of nine.

It was an emotional message from Barnes, who received a very kind reply from Choudhury.

He wrote: “My brother. Special player, even more of a special guy. Big things to come man.”

Choudhury’s message suggests that Newcastle have signed someone who is a good character as well as a good player. That will have been a major reason why Howe wanted him at St James’ Park, with the Toon boss very particular about the type of person he adds to his squad.

Hopefully there are big things to come from Barnes, who made his first appearance in a Newcastle shirt during the friendly against Aston Villa on Sunday night.