Harvey Barnes is a’special player’ for Newcastle United.
That is the opinion of Hamza Choudhury, who wrote to the 25-year-old after his transfer from Leicester City to Newcastle was announced on Sunday.
Barnes is Newcastle United’s second senior acquisition of the summer, costing £38 million. He has signed a five-year contract that will keep him at St James’ Park until 2028.
He is an exciting addition to Eddie Howe’s team, taking over for Allan Saint-Maximin, who is set to join Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli.
While Barnes may not be as dynamic in possession as Saint-Maximin, he is far more productive. Last season, the England international scored 13 Premier League goals, which was more than Maxi did in his four years on Tyneside.
It will hopefully prove to be a brilliant bit of business by Newcastle, and the Magpies’ newest signing has received a heartwarming message from a player who the club desperately tried to sign before the change of ownership.
Hamza Choudhury’s message to Harvey Barnes after Newcastle move
Choudhury was highly linked with a move to Newcastle in 2021. In January and again in the summer, he was a target. Steve Bruce was very interested in signing him, but was advised that the team could not pay the loan price that Leicester demanded.
Everything has changed in the last two years. Newcastle is investing large money on top-tier players and will compete in the Champions League. Meanwhile, rumors of Choudhury joining St James’ Park have died away.
Instead, it is Barnes who has moved to the North East, and the newest signing has received a heartfelt message from Choudhury on Instagram.
Barnes issued a lengthy statement following his move away from Leicester, as he said goodbye to the club he joined at the age of nine.
It was an emotional message from Barnes, who received a very kind reply from Choudhury.
He wrote: “My brother. Special player, even more of a special guy. Big things to come man.”
Choudhury’s message suggests that Newcastle have signed someone who is a good character as well as a good player. That will have been a major reason why Howe wanted him at St James’ Park, with the Toon boss very particular about the type of person he adds to his squad.
Hopefully there are big things to come from Barnes, who made his first appearance in a Newcastle shirt during the friendly against Aston Villa on Sunday night.
