West Ham United in ‘advanced’ Harvey Barnes transfer talks with Leicester ahead of Newcastle, Tottenham and Aston Villa
West Ham have entered “advanced” transfer negotiations with Leicester over a deal to sign Harvey Barnes, according to 90min.
The Foxes attacker is one of the Hammers’ primary targets this summer as David Moyes looks to strengthen a side that won the Europa Conference League but struggled badly in the Premier League.
The likes of Newcastle, Tottenham and Aston Villa have all reportedly shown interest in the Englishman but the Irons are ahead of the game in pushing for an agreement.
According to 90min, sources have indicated that West Ham may sign two wingers this summer, with Barnes the first.
Declan Rice’s imminent exit to Arsenal is set to provide a major windfall at the London Stadium, and Barnes is now close to following James Maddison to the King Power exit, although the Irons are hoping to secure him for less than the £45m fee that Spurs have agreed for his fellow English international.
Incoming?
It’s looking hopeful for West Ham to land the man who looks to be an attacking priority for Moyes as he embarks on the post-Rice era.
The Leicester man, who scored 13 Premier League goals last season, would be a valuable addition to a Hammers side which flattered to deceive domestically for months in what was shaping up to be a thoroughly disappointing season before the late trophy win.
With Manuel Lanzini confirmed as leaving, and with multiple other attacking options at risk depending on who is signed this summer, there is plenty of room to add dynamic players.
Barnes, 25, would appear to fit what Moyes is good at and there is every reason to believe that he can be a success at the London Stadium if the club are able to get this one over the line.
Last season’s recruits did not work as expected so this summer is going to need to see a much higher return on investment.
The wide man would surely cost significantly more had Leicester not gone down, if he was available at all, so if West Ham can wrap this up for £40m or below it looks on paper to be a solid deal.
In other West Ham news, a club is now “sure” that the Irons will concede to their advances after being refused so far as one first-team player makes a clear exit demand.