Newcastle firm favourites to sign 25-year-old, club already lining up replacement

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Time is running out for Newcastle United if they want to sign Harvey Barnes before their trip to America.

Eddie Howe is hoping to add the Leicester City winger to his squad ahead of the new season, but the two clubs have been unable to agree a fee as of yet.

All the while, Barnes has agreed personal terms with the Magpies and is pushing for a move to St James’ Park.

That means things could move swiftly once a fee is agreed, but that is easier said than done.

However, all roads do appear to lead towards Barnes leaving the King Power Stadium. Leicester have played two friendlies so far this summer, and he has not featured in either of them.

Now a new report from the Daily Mail states that the Foxes are lining up a replacement for the England international.

Leicester line up Harvey Barnes replacement

According to the Daily Mail’s weekly newsletter Transfer Confidential, Leicester are planning for Barnes’ departure and are now interested in signing Manchester United youngster Amad Diallo.

They add that while West Ham and Aston Villa are keen to sign Barnes, it is Newcastle who are still the ‘firm favourites’ to land the exciting winger.

That is good news, as there is a fear that West Ham could gazump us after they finally completed a deal to sell Declan Rice to Arsenal. They now have money to spend, with finances the initial reason why Newcastle were able to leapfrog them in the race to land Barnes.

But the prospect of him joining the Magpies still looks likely, and it will surely be even more likely if Leicester get a replacement.

They would be getting an ideal one in Diallo if they can complete a deal. He has proven himself in the Championship before, thriving at Sunderland last season under Tony Mowbray. The 21-year-old was a key player during their promotion charge, scoring 13 goals and providing three assists.

His efforts nearly ensured that the Tyne-Wear derby would be returning, only for Sunderland to lose in the playoffs to Luton Town. Now Diallo could open the door for Newcastle to sign Barnes if he takes his talents from Man United to Leicester.