Newcastle United's Victor Munoz pursuit could mean crunch decision on £40m man

The Magpies remain in pursuit of the Osasuna star this summer, and the winger is believed to be on sporting director Ross Wilson's shortlist ahead of the window opening next week.

Barnes could be worth £40million to Newcastle once trading starts, with Aston Villa believed to be keen on the 16-goal forward's signature.

And despite the fact Newcastle have already lost 17-goal winger Anthony Gordon, no player's exit has been ruled out by Toon chiefs as they look to wheel and deal in the market.

Barnes has two years left on his current deal at Newcastle and has netted 30 goals since signing for Newcastle for £38m back in 2023.

Head coach Eddie Howe would want assurances that Barnes would be replaced this summer, but he does not need reminding that unpopular sales could be a feature of what well-placed club sources describe as "a complex summer".

Barnes would be a natural choice to succeed Gordon on the left-hand side but has also been known to do a job on the opposite flank.

Indeed, Barnes made five appearances in the Champions League on the right and served up four goals in the competition while grabbing a strike against Barcelona on the left.

The 28-year-old played eight times in the Premier League on the right and also had success on that side, scoring four times on that flank.

Speaking on Barnes' capabilities last season, Howe said: “We’ve really tried to focus on Harvey’s game and his training and try to see it as an opportunity to improve him while he’s out of the team, while recognising his qualities and knowing that we want him in the team.

"That’s a very difficult thing because we probably didn’t have the balance of the side right early season.

"We were trying players in different positions to try and find a way to make that work. We didn’t probably have the right outcome then."

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