Gabby Agbonlahor believes Newcastle United signed a ‘real gem’ with the transfer of Harvey Barnes from Leicester City and was desperate for Aston Villa to land his move.
The 25-year-old secured a switch to St James’ Park in July after enduring relegation with the Foxes last term. Newcastle paid Leicester £39m to sign Barnes to a five-year contract after slightly bringing their asking price down. He had enjoyed a career-best term during 2022/23.
Despite Leicester falling into the Championship, Barnes scored 13 goals and laid on an assist over 34 Premier League games. His previous-best single-season haul was in 2020/21 as he hit nine goals in 25 games. While the winger set his best term for assists in 2021/22 with 10.
Harvey Barnes enjoyed a Newcastle United debut to remember
It has not taken Barnes long to already match his tally of assists from the 2022/23 season at Newcastle. Eddie Howe introduced the winger off his bench for Anthony Gordon in the 68th minute of their win over Aston Villa. Barnes only took nine minutes to assist Callum Wilson.
A first goal in black-and-white soon followed, as well, as Barnes rounded out Newcastle’s 5-1 win in stoppage time. The Burnley-born dynamo will now hope Howe starts him as the Toon visit Manchester City on Saturday evening. Gordon had assisted Sandro Tonali last Saturday.
Barnes nearly even also ended his cameo against Aston Villa with two assists had Emiliano Martinez not produced a superb save to deny Wilson a double. Howe could not have asked for more from the winger than the instant impact the Leicester product delivered last week.
Gabby Agbonlahor wanted Aston Villa to secure his transfer
The attacker’s performance more than justified Newcastle’s decision to eye Barnes’ transfer from Leicester. Howe also fended off significant rival interest from Premier League teams in his services. The Northern Echo listed Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.
David Moyes marked the forward as one of West Ham’s top targets but dithered over a deal. While Tottenham wanted Barnes to follow his former Leicester teammate, James Maddison, to north London. Aston Villa only held a tentative interest before they signed Moussa Diaby.
Ex-Villans captain Agbonlahor would have loved it if Unai Emery edged Newcastle to Barnes’ transfer, though. He is confident that Howe signed a great talent who should only get better.
“I love him,” Agbonlahor has told talkSPORT. “When I first heard he was available I was like, ‘Aston Villa, please’. This guy is lightning-quick, always wants to run at defenders, can finish.
“He’s got to learn a bit more composure but that will come. He’s a really, really good player, and I feel that Newcastle have got a real gem.”
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