Newcastle green light Allan Saint-Maximin sale as winner emerges in West Ham United race for Leicester City ace Harvey Barnes

Newcastle owners have green-lit Allan Saint-Maximin's sale to Saudi as they expect to beat West Ham to sign Leicester City attacker Harvey Barnes, per 90 Min.

The media outlet reports [19 July] that they will now work on finalising a deal for the English winger as they look to beat the Hammers to secure his services.

The Hammers along with the Magpies had been in talks with the 25-year-old post Leicester's relegation but the saga now appears to have come to an end.

Not happening

This one looked unlikely from the off as Newcastle have deeper pockets and can offer Champions League football to any new signing.

The Hammers also made contact pretty late as they were waiting on the Declan Rice sale to generate funds for new signings.

Even if it was done in time, Barnes would probably have preferred Champions League football and more money over a move to the London Stadium.

It's time West Ham move on from Barnes and look at other options as pre-season has begun and no new signing has been made.

The Hammers cannot afford to waste any more time as most if not all Premier League sides look stronger than they were last season.

It remains to be seen who David Moyes will sanction on the left wing now that the Barnes deal is dead in the water.

In other West Ham news, a super-rich club has launched an enquiry into a star player who could follow Declan Rice out of the door as his agent may engineer a transfer.