Harvey Barnes tipped to shine at West Ham United amid Leicester City transfer speculation
We’re delighted to welcome former West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the London Stadium…
Frank McAvennie has backed potential West Ham signing Harvey Barnes to perform well at the club but hopes he does not suffer the same fate as other creative Hammers.
Barnes has been linked with a move to the London Stadium [Express] to bolster their attacking options ahead of their Premier League and Europa League campaigns next season after an excellent season with under-performing Leicester City.
The England international claimed 14 goals in a Foxes side that ended their season relegated, but the 25-year-old is likely to make a return to the top flight.
McAvennie, while believing Barnes can have an impact at West Ham, hopes that he keeps his creativity after making the switch, unlike other signings.
Speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone, McAvennie said: “I like him, I do like him. He can play defensively, he can play between the lines.
“He’s the kind of player that David Moyes likes, and he can go and play. West Ham bring all these players and I think ‘Oh, great!’. But they don’t do it. They’re all free-flowing players.
“But if you see Harvey Barnes in full flight, he’s great to watch. He gets past players like they’re not there and cuts inside.
“If he stops doing that, then we need new coaches because we don’t know what’s happening and these boys can play.”
Many attacking players have joined the Irons and struggled to show their full creativity and potential brilliance, including Maxwell Cornet who joined from Burnley to much excitement, and Gianluca Scamacca, who is set to leave the club after just one season [Corriere dello Sport].
West Ham fans will hope that Barnes does not suffer the same fate. But as a proven goalscorer with four full Premier League seasons under his belt, it won’t be shocking to see him make an instant impact.
In other West Ham news, Hammers make contact regarding 23-year-old AC Milan forward.