Harvey Barnes makes West Ham United and Newcastle United transfer decision

West Ham look set to miss out on a move for Harvey Barnes as the winger's move to Newcastle United edges closer, according to the Daily Mail.

The newspaper reported on 18 July that the Magpies are close to agreeing a fee with Leicester City for the 25-year-old and that a deal could be completed in the next few days.

The Hammers had been hoping to land a deal for the England international, who is commanding a fee in the region of £35million, but the Daily Mail said Newcastle were always his "first choice" after they secured Champions League football for next season.

Move on

It's always going to be difficult to compete with clubs that have secured Champions League football and are in with a decent shout of playing in the competition for the next few years.

Barnes has clearly seen Newcastle as an exciting opportunity to push on with his career and, given the upward trajectory of the club and its potential, it comes as no real surprise.

If they were always his first choice, then it could be a blessing in disguise that he won't be coming to East London this summer, as it's absolutely imperative that we only sign players that genuinely want to be here.

It's now time for the Hammers' hierarchy to swiftly move on and push forward with some of the targets they have identified to strengthen the squad this summer.

There is absolutely no doubt that another winger does need to be drafted in, though, after our options out wide proved to be quite limited last season and competition for places is always healthy.

In other West Ham news, a surprising move could be on the cards for one Hammer after holding "private negotiations".