An update has emerged on Newcastle United's interest in Harvey Barnes in the summer transfer window...

What's the talk?

According to The Sun, the Magpies are eyeing a swoop to sign the Leicester gem as Dan Ashworth looks to improve Eddie Howe's squad.

The report claims that the Foxes are demanding a fee of £50m for the wizard and are not willing to budge on their valuation.

It is stated that the club are looking at Barnes after Everton set a £50m price tag on Anthony Gordon's head, with the Toon valuing him at £25m.

Big upgrade on Ryan Fraser

By securing a deal to sign the Leicester attacker, Newcastle can land a big upgrade on current Magpies winger Ryan Fraser.

The Scotland international joined the club from Bournemouth on a free transfer in 2020 and he is yet to prove that he has what it takes to be a consistent starter in the Premier League.

In 2020/21, Fraser played 18 games for the Toon and registered two assists, whilst failing to score a single goal from out wide. He then followed that up with two goals and three assists in 27 outings last term, which shows that he has struggled to make a big impact in the final third.

Barnes, on the other hand, has been impressive for the Foxes in the last two campaigns as he has shown that he can be a reliable option at the top end of the pitch.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp previously heaped praise on the winger, saying: "Barnes is probably one of the biggest talents, I’m not sure if he is respected or appreciated as much as he should be, he is an unbelievable player to be honest, a proper Leicester product."

His statistics suggest that he is deserving of that praise. In 2020/21, he produced nine goals and four assists in 25 Premier League appearances, before racking up six goals and ten assists in 32 matches the following season.

The 24-year-old has proven that he can make a bigger impact than Fraser in the final third, as he has a better record in terms of both scoring and assisting goals from out wide.

Therefore, Ashworth must work hard to get a deal over the line for the Englishman as he would improve Howe's options in attack for the 2022/23 campaign by offering far more than the Scotsman.

AND in other news, Howe could land his own Dias for Newcastle in £38m deal to sign "underrated" colossus...