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Newcastle United are looking to splash out on a winger this summer, but one who is already at St James’ Park could be bracing themselves for a breakthrough year.

The Magpies have a £100million transfer budget to spend ahead of the new season, and most of that is expected to go towards a new winger. Whoever arrives will be tasked with joining Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon in attack, with Eddie Howe eager to sign someone who can take his forward line to the next level.

But perhaps Howe already has someone who could be about to make their first proper splash in a black and white shirt.

£39m Newcastle winger endured injury ridden first season

It has been a year since Harvey Barnes became a Newcastle United player. He joined from Leicester for £39million, becoming one of Newcastle’s most expensive players ever.

The forward came in to replace Allan Saint-Maximin, and it was clear why. While Saint-Maximin had all the flicks and tricks, he often was not decisive enough in the final third. In contrast, Barnes is a ruthless finisher. While he can sometimes be quiet in games, he is always capable of grabbing a goal.

In fact, he grabbed five in his first season on Tyneside. Barnes also got three assists, with eight goal contributions coming in 23 appearances.

The number of appearances was the biggest issue, with Barnes enduring an injury ridden first year at St James’ Park.

An innocuous foot injury ruled him out for months, while he also had a brief hamstring problem. In total, Barnes missed 28 games in all competitions.

Harvey Barnes already looking sharp for Newcastle

Barnes has admitted that it was a mixed first year at Newcastle United.

He will be hoping that season number two is more successful, and he already looks in excellent shape for the new campaign.

The 26-year-old was part of the Newcastle United squad that travelled to Germany to train at Adidas HQ, with Barnes featuring in the behind closed doors friendly against SpVgg Unterhaching.

Barnes played the first half on Saturday, scoring the opener then setting up the second as the Magpies won 3-1.

It was a sharp pre-season outing from Barnes, who helped himself to two goal contributions. His finish was clinical too, coming inside off the flank and whipping it into the far corner with his right foot.

It was a trademark finish from Barnes, who will feel ready to play a bigger role in black and white after a tough debut year. He will even have aspirations of being a more regular starter under Eddie Howe, despite Newcastle’s plan to bring in a new winger.

Barnes debuted his new shirt number in Germany

Barnes looked to be the star of the show during Newcastle’s first pre-season outing, and he did it whilst debuting his new shirt number.

When the players returned for pre-season, it looked like Barnes had switched from number 15 to number 11. That number previously belonged to Matt Ritchie, but he was released at the end of last season.

With 11 suddenly available, it looked like Barnes had taken it for himself based on the training gear.

Now Newcastle have played their first match in their new Adidas home kit, and Barnes was donning the number 11.

While the club will wait to officially announce their squad numbers for the 2024/25 season, it looks all but certain that Barnes has changed jerseys.

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