Eddie Howe Harvey Barnes, Newcastle
(Credit: Imago)
Ben Palmer
Wed 14 May 2025 19:30, UK
Newcastle will be forced to sacrifice Harvey Barnes if financial concerns bite this summer, believes Chris Waddle.
The club’s former star winger told Football Insider exclusively that whilst the ex-Leicester man had impressed in recent weeks, the Magpies had not seen enough out of the 27-year-old during his time at St James’ Park.
Barnes joined Newcastle in the summer of 2023 for £38million [BBC Sport], following the Foxes relegation to the Championship.
Just half a season later, the Magpies added Anthony Gordon to their squad for £45million from Everton [Sky Sports], and the 24-year-old quickly usurped the former Leicester man as Eddie Howe’s first-choice left-winger.
Barnes has been used sparingly when his younger teammate is available, and with issues complying with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR) last year, the 27-year-old may be on the move this summer.
Elliot Anderson was sold to Nottingham Forest last summer. (Credit: Grant Winter)
Newcastle’s PSR problems may force Harvey Barnes sale
In a mad dash to balance the books to remain PSR compliant, Newcastle sold Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest and let Yankuba Minteh join Brighton.
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The Magpies were just one of several teams that included Aston Villa, Chelsea, Everton, and Nottingham Forest, who bought and sold from each other to avoid being penalised by the Premier League.
Newcastle have exercised caution since then, avoiding doing business in January, but the club will undoubtedly be mindful of the need to toe the line this summer, particularly if they don’t end up in the Champions League.
As a consequence, the club could look to sell off some of their fringe squad members, with Matt Target, Joe Willock, and Sean Longstaff linked with moves away.
Barnes has been linked with a move to Aston Villa this summer, and with an eye on their accounting books, letting the 27-year-old leave in favour of redistributing the funds to other areas of the pitch may appeal to Newcastle’s hierarchy.
Yankuba Minteh Brighton
Yankuba Minteh was also sold for financial reasons. (Credit Imago)
Newcastle will want to sell Harvey Barnes over Alexander Isak or Bruno Guimaraes
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, via NewBettingSites.uk, former Newcastle star Waddle explained why selling Barnes may be an appealing option, as opposed to letting Arsenal target Bruno Guimaraes or Alexander Isak leave, saying: “I think if they don’t get the Champions League, they’ve got to sell somebody because of the fair play rules.
“So if they don’t qualify, and they’ve got two harder games coming up against Arsenal away and Everton, I don’t think they’re easy games, and they could really come undone in those two games.
“And then they might have to sell somebody. Harvey Barnes would probably be the preferred choice than Bruno Guimaraes or an Isak, you know, Anthony Gordon played at the weekend, he’s had the shirt all season.
“Harvey Barnes has had a great couple of months. He’s been in great form, scoring, making, but we’ve not seen enough of him in the black and white shirt.”
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