Newcastle United are set to make a new and improved offer of £25m for Southampton right-back Tino Livramento, having previously had a £15m bid knocked back, according to a recent report from Football Insider.

What's the latest Newcastle transfer news?

Newcastle are still pursuing a number of targets this summer, with a deal for Harvey Barnes now "edging closer" to completion, according to journalist Tom Collomosse, while they have also allegedly submitted a bid of €95m (£82m) for Napoli's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia.

However, Sky Sports reporter Pete Graves has indicated that a new right-back is more of a priority for Eddie Howe, recently saying: "I think they're looking for defensive reinforcements. Some of the fans are confused as to why a left-back isn't a priority and I really think they're targeting a right-back.

"I think they want a right-back because if anything was to happen to Kieran Trippier, there isn't much cover at right-back. Javier Manquillo I think will be one of the players who may leave and move back to Spain."

As such, Livramento has emerged as a key target for the Magpies, having entered advanced talks with Southampton over a deal for the right-back at the end of June, and they could now be set to increase their original offer of £15m.

According to a report from Football Insider, Newcastle are ready to submit a new and improved offer of £25m for the defender, with their initial bid of £15m being turned down by the Saints, as it was deemed to be too low.

The full-back is one of Howe's top targets this summer, as he looks to bolster his defensive options, and he is willing to pay as much as £25m to get a deal over the line.

How good is Tino Livramento?

The 20-year-old's development was significantly stunted by a cruciate ligament rupture, which has ruled him out of contention for 43 games, meaning he missed almost all of the 2022-23 campaign, featuring for just 26 minutes in the Premier League.

However, the youngster does have some experience in the top flight, having made 28 league appearances in the 2021-22 season, during which time he managed to impress football scout Jacek Kulig.

After a solid performance against Manchester United, Kulig described the Southampton ace as an "absolute baller", while former manager Ralph Hassenhuttl has dubbed him a "serious player".

During his breakthrough season as a first-team player, the starlet often impressed on the front foot, scoring and completing two dribbles against Burnley, while he also managed to pick up an assist in a 2-0 win against Everton.

Gareth Southgate has previously spoken fondly about the full-back, praising him for his "excellent" start to the 2021-22 campaign, and his performances for Southampton indicate he could be in contention for an England call-up if he is able to reignite his form.

Although Kieran Trippier is likely to remain Newcastle's first-choice option, Livramento could be a fantastic long-term heir to the right-back, and he believes his body is now in "the best shape it has been" after returning from his cruciate ligament rupture.

It won’t rank up there with the most cutting of barbs between Ashes rivals, but Jos Buttler admitted it would be “nice” to knock Australia out of the Champions Trophy when the sides meet at Edgbaston on Saturday.England go into the match knowing they are secure in the semi-finals and inked in for a return to Cardiff where they toppled New Zealand. For Australia, their concerns are more immediate.There are scenarios involving a washout between New Zealand and Bangladesh and net run-rate where Australia, by the skin of their teeth, could go through even if they lose to England. But the only way to be sure is to win. If there is a positive result on Friday, for a few hours at least, England will have large swathes of either New Zealand or Bangladesh supporters in their corner.The Ashes are still five months away, but an early shot across the bows would leave England feeling even better about themselves, not to mention removing one of the pre-tournament favourites. And if history is any guide, it favours them. In both the 2004 and 2013 tournaments they toppled Australia at Edgbaston.The 2004 semi-final was a crucial building-block for a side that was beginning to believe they would be able to go toe-to-toe the following summer – in what became the era-defining 2005 Ashes – while, in 2013, the victory set in motion an unravelling of Australia’s fortunes, with David Warner later taking a swing at Joe Root in the Birmingham Walkabout, and Mickey Arthur being sacked a few weeks later before the Ashes had even begun.Asked about the prospect of ending Australia’s tournament, Buttler said: “Yes, it would be nice. We will not think too much about that. We want to win, keep our momentum going no matter who we are playing, but it is always nice to know that would be the outcome if we did win.”We now know we have qualified for the semi-finals but we want to be going there on the back of a win and we will be desperate to do that on Saturday. We have got some good memories of playing there. It is a ground we like playing at, which is one of the advantages of being at one, isn’t it?”On a personal level, Buttler will enter the match on the back of his most significant innings of the year. His unbeaten 61 off 48 balls ensured England, as is almost the norm now, passed 300 having threatened to fade away as New Zealand made regular inroads.The highlight of the innings was the wind-assisted scoop off Trent Boult which almost took out a cameraman on the gantry at the River Taff end but, until that shot, it had been a restrained display of around a run a ball. At one stage he had 38 off 36 deliveries, then his final 12 balls – which included the scoop – earned 23, and it could have been more if he had been able to make better use of the final over.It was Buttler’s second half-century in three innings, following his 65 not out against South Africa at the Ageas Bowl, and has quickly quietened any whispers about his form following lean series against India and West Indies in which he mustered 80 in six innings.”I think maybe in the India and West Indies series I was short of runs. Going away to the IPL, I felt in fantastic form and then, since I have been back, I have scored a couple of fifties in three or four games and now I feel in good form,” he said.”The wicket was slow with such a big boundary, I was trying to run twos as much as possible and I did not find the boundary as much as I am used to. We couldn’t quite throw caution to the wind because we kept losing wickets, so I had to take that responsibility to bat until the end to ensure we got up to 300.”

The match between Glamorgan and Durham was delicately poised as the visitors ended the third day 147 runs ahead with seven wickets remaining

ECB Reporters Network28-May-2017
ScorecardFile photo – Graham Clark made his best first-class score•Getty Images

The Specsavers County Championship Division Two clash between Glamorgan and Durham was delicately poised as the visitors ended the third day 147 runs ahead with seven wickets remaining. It had looked at one stage like Glamorgan would have to follow on but they secured a first-innings lead of 11 thanks to a career-best 75 from Andrew Salter.Durham began their second innings after lunch on and it took just 2.2 overs for Glamorgan to get their first breakthrough with the ball, Stephen Cook playing a loose shot into the off side straight to Salter at point off Marchant de Lange’s bowling.Durham were only ahead by 24 when they lost their second wicket, Cameron Steel bowled by Timm van der Gugten for 10. But the visitors got back on track as Keaton Jennings and Graham Clark added 40 for the third wicket before the former fell victim to David Lloyd’s first ball of the innings, trapped lbw for 35. The easiest of chances then went begging when Clark skied a pull off de Lange, the bowler running to the batsman’s end, getting under it but letting it drop at the very last second.Durham were 105 for 3 by tea, with 39 overs still to be bowled due to overs lost on the second day. Clark reached his half-century off 97 balls soon after the break, in a crucial fourth-wicket partnership with skipper Paul Collingwood.Glamorgan’s bowlers were made to toil in the evening session as the batsmen found their feet under darkening Swansea skies, before bad light forced the players off at 5.18pm. Clark went off having made an unbeaten 63 – his best first-class score.Glamorgan wicketkeeper-batsman Chris Cooke only added six runs to his overnight score of 63 before he was caught and bowled by Paul Coughlin, the bowler diving forwards to take the catch. Cooke could have dismissed in the opening couple of overs, almost playing on to his stumps. Add into the mix a dislocated finger for Durham keeper Stuart Poynter and it was an eventful start to proceedings.De Lange came to the crease and showed some attacking intent with a series of powerfully hit boundaries, one of which saw non-striker Salter duck under a straight drive. He followed it up with a driven six off debutant left-arm spinner George Harding, but swung once too often to be bowled by Chris Rushworth for 30, ending a 45-run partnership for the eighth wicket with Salter.Van der Gugten quickly followed, caught at slip by Jennings for 0. Glamorgan captain Michael Hogan then came in and struck fours off the first two balls of his innings, following up with a six over Coughlin’s head towards the pavilion shortly after.Salter brought up his fifty with a pull for six off Coughlin and added another as Glamorgan closed in on Durham’s first-innings total of 342. They went on to surpass it before Salter was caught by Jennings off James Weighell for 75 as Glamorgan were all out for 353.

Pundit Alan Hutton has been reacting to Celtic transfer update involving Gangwon FC forward Yang Hyun-jun.

Is Yang Hyun-jun joining Celtic?

The Hoops have made a start on their summer business, with midfielder Odin Thiago Holm and winger Marco Tilio both signing five-year deals at Parkhead from Valerenga and Melbourne City respectively.

There have also been some outgoings, with midfielder Aaron Mooy announcing his retirement and winger Jota signing for Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad in a deal worth £25m.

New manager Brendan Rodgers is set to be handed a £30m transfer kitty by Celtic chiefs ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, and it looks as if some of those funds could go on bringing Gangwon FC forward Yang to Glasgow.

The 21-year-old has been on Celtic’s radar in recent weeks, with an offer submitted last month. A fee in the region of £2.1m fee was agreed between the two clubs, however, it looked as if Gangwon were open to keeping the player until the New Year when their season came to an end.

There appears to have been a breakthrough over a transfer, though. Gangwon are now ready to allow the forward to leave immediately, adding that Yang's transfer "remained a matter of time". Yang himself is keen on a move and has previously said that he would give his salary in order to seal a move:

"Celtic is a good offer, so I want to go. I have to do my best as a member of Gangwon. But I think the desire to go will still be there.

"I want to go to Celtic this summer. I hope Gangwon will allow me to transfer. If the transfer fee isn’t enough, I’ll even give my salary."

What has Alan Hutton said about a potential move?

Taking to Football Insider, Hutton, who contributes to Sky Sports, was talking about Celtic and Yang and the fact the player is so keen to join the Hoops that he would give up his salary.

The former Scotland defender said he wouldn’t do that, adding that Yang must be “desperate” for the transfer, describing it as “amazing to read”.

“I wouldn’t. He must be desperate to make the move.

“We are hearing about people going to Saudi for millions a year and this player is willing to give up his salary to make a move which is the polar opposite.”

Should Yang get his wish and move to Scotland, he would provide Rodgers with a versatile option as he is primarily a right-winger who can also play on the left or through the middle.

He could be just what is required, especially following Jota’s departure, and by the look of things, Yang is willing to go far in order to sign for the Hoops in what could be another shrewd coup be the club when it comes to the Asian market.

Southampton recently completed their first two new signings of the summer transfer window as they prepare for life in the Championship.

Northern Ireland international midfielder Shae Charles has been brought in on a permanent deal from Manchester City, whilst Ryan Manning has put pen to paper after his departure from Swansea City on a free.

A player who could be like a fresh addition, without the club spending a penny, is winger Nathan Tella, who has returned from his loan spell with Burnley.

The 24-year-old dynamo could be crucial for Russell Martin's team next season with his proven ability as a Championship goalscorer and the ex-Swansea head coach could find him a lethal partner by signing Ross Stewart from Sunderland.

According to The Sun on Sunday [16th July 2023, page 61], the Saints will consider a swoop for the Scotland international if one of their current number nine options depart.

How many goals did Nathan Tella score for Burnley?

The ex-Arsenal prospect plundered an outstanding 17 goals in 31 league starts on loan with the Clarets as they won promotion to the Premier League by securing the title.

Only four players scored more goals than Tella in the division and no winger found the back of the net more times than the English sensation, which highlights how impressive his return in front of goal was.

Meanwhile, no Southampton player hit double figures for goals and none of the club's wide attackers were able to score more than twice in the Premier League last term.

This illustrates the immense impact that the exciting forward could have on the pitch for Martin throughout the upcoming campaign and Stewart is a player who could form a lethal partnership with him.

How good is Ross Stewart?

The Black Cats gem's performances for Sunderland last season suggest that he has the quality to be an excellent player for Southampton if they are able to snap him up this summer.

He averaged a Sofascore rating of 7.40 across 13 Championship appearances, which is a score that only two players (Oliver Norwood and Manning) were able to better. The centre-forward was one of the best performers within the division, albeit based on a limited number of games, and showcased his attacking quality.

Stewart plundered an incredible ten goals and three assists – a direct goal involvement every outing on average – and that came after his record of 26 goals in 49 League One clashes during the 2021/22 campaign.

The £2.7k-per-week finisher, who was once hailed as "unbelievable" by teammate Alex Pritchard, scored more goals in less than half a season's worth of matches than any Saints player managed last season, with the caveat that he was playing at a lower level.

A cause for concern is that the prolific attacker missed 36 games through injury but the evidence suggests that Southampton would have a tremendous player on their hands if they are able to keep him fit for the next nine months.

Martin would have two of the best attacking options from last season's Championship, based on their respective form for Burnley and Sunderland, with Tella and Stewart in his side, which is why the club must pursue a deal for the ex-Ross County star.

خرج الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بنادي إنتر ميامي من بطولة دوري أبطال كونكاكاف لعام 2024 على يد مونتيري بطل المكسيك بعد الخسارة صباح اليوم بنتيجة 3-1.

والتقى نادي إنتر ميامي بمنافسه المكسيكي على ملعب الأخير “بانكومر”، وكانت نتيجة مباراة الذهاب لصالح مونتيري 2-1 في أمريكا.

وشهد اللقاء تواجد القوة الضاربة لنادي إنتر ميامي حيث شارك ليونيل ميسي، لويس سواريز، جوردي ألبا، سيرجيو بوسكيتس، لكن لم يكن تواجدهم كافيًا لتفادي الخسارة.

اقرأ أيضًا.. مونتيري يتقدم بشكوى ضد إنتر ميامي وليونيل ميسي

سجل براندون فاسكيز أول أهداف المباراة لصالح مونتيري في الدقيقة 31، قبل أن يضاعف جيرمان بيرترامي النتيجة في الشوط الثاني بالدقيقة 58.

وعند الوصول إلى الدقيقة 64، أجهز خيسوس جاياردو على آمال إنتر ميامي كاملة بهدف ثالث لتصبح النتيجة 3-0.

وقبل نهاية المباراة بـ 4 دقائق، استطاع ميسي أن يصنع هدف حفظ ماء الوجه لنادي إنتر مامي لزميله دييجو جوميز، لتنتهي المباراة بنتيجة 3-1.

بهذا يودع إنتر ميامي بطولة دوري أبطال كونكاكاف وضياع حلم المشاركة في كأس العالم للأندية 2025 والذي سيقام على أرض الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية بمشاركة 32 فريقًا.

The Mauricio Pochettino era at Chelsea is now firmly up and running following the former Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain head coach's first press conference on Friday.

Pochettino's appointment at Stamford Bridge has coincided with the arrivals of Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku, from Villarreal and RB Leipzig respectively, in what has already been a manic transfer window for the Blues.

Which players are coming to Chelsea?

Beyond Jackson and Nkunku, Chelsea have also showed they have one eye on the future by bringing in youngsters Alex Matos and Diego Moreira, while Brazilian marvel Matheus Franca is also set to follow from Flamengo.

Moises Caicedo remains top of Chelsea's list of priority targets, even if Brighton and Hove Albion now appear to be holding out for £100m, while plenty of other high-profile names are also said to be on Pochettino's radar.

Roma forward Paulo Dybala is one of those names, with transfer expert Fabrizio Romano saying on his Here We Go podcast that Pochettino is "a super big fan" of his Argentinian compatriot, who is thought to have a cut-price release clause of just €12m (£10m).

How many goals has Paulo Dybala scored?

For all the talent in their bloated squad last season, Chelsea seriously lacked a goalscorer. That could change in 2023-24 with the arrivals of Jackson and Nkunku, while Dybala is another who knows how to find the net.

The Argentina international scored 12 goals in 26 Serie A appearances last season and a further five in 11 Europa League appearances as Roma finished runners-up.

It is fair to say Dybala revived his career under Jose Mourinho in Rome last season, having gone off the boil somewhat after spending seven seasons with Juventus.

Indeed, the 29-year-old's numbers last season were up there with the very best across Europe's top five leagues. According to FBref's player comparison model, Dybala ranked similarly to the likes of Serge Gnabry, Neymar and Lionel Messi.

That last name will no doubt get Chelsea supporters excited, and not least Pochettino after a short spell working together at PSG.

Dybala and his international colleague, Messi scored from an identical number of shots taken last season in Serie A and Ligue 1 respectively (0.12), while their average shot distance was 20.7 and 18.3 yards respectively, showing they are very alike in style.

They also completed a similar number of passes (78% for Dybala; 80% for Messi) and there was little to separate them in terms of expected goals per 90 (0.48 v 0.49), though Messi was more prolific than his countryman as he scored 16 goals to Dybala's 12.

There were other areas Messi was better than Dybala, such as successful take-ons (3.24 v 1.40), but the latter came out on top in metrics such as aerial duels won per 90 (0.21 v 0.03) and interceptions (0.41 v 0.06), which is always a handy trait for an attacker to have.

Described as an "incredible talent" by Juventus and Italy great Alessandro Del Piero, it would not be too harsh to suggest Dybala's career has not quite lived up to the hype.

However, still aged the right side of 30, the World Cup winner showed last season with Roma he is still a very big talent in his own right, one which Chelsea could get full use out of this coming season.

An outrageous half-century from Faheem Ashraf took Pakistan to a victory that, even by their standards, must rate as one of the most improbable in their history.

George Dobell at Edgbaston27-May-2017Pakistan 342 for 8 (Shoaib 72, Faheem 64*) beat Bangladesh 341 for 9 (Tamim 102, Junaid 4-72) by two wickets
ScorecardShoaib Malik’s 72 kept Pakistan in the game before an astonishing finale•Getty ImagesAn outrageous half-century from Faheem Ashraf took Pakistan to a victory that, even by their standards, must rate as one of the most improbable in their history.Fahee, playing his first innings in a Pakistan shirt, thrashed 60 in 34 balls to turn this Champions Trophy warm-up match against Bangladesh on its head. Coming in at No. 9, he helped add 93 in 41 balls for the ninth wicket to take his side to an unlikely victory and make an all-but-undeniable claim for selection in Pakistan’s Champions Trophy side.Sadly for Faheem, this match will barely rate a footnote in the record books. With both sides able to utilise substitutes and Edgbaston sporting a remarkably short boundary towards the Pershore Road side of the ground (it measured just 42 metres, or 47 yards) in an effort to ensure the best surfaces were protected for more important matches, the game will not even be regarded as a List A encounter.But let nobody say this innings came in a soft or contrived manner. At various stages, Pakistan had looked doomed to a fourth one-day defeat in succession against Bangladesh – Bangladesh won the last series between the sides, in April 2015, 3-0 – as they subsided to 168 for 5, 227 for 6 and, in the 42nd over, 242 for 7.That meant they required exactly 100 from the final eight-and-a-half overs. But Faheem, who thinks of his seam bowling as his stronger suit, struck four sixes – none of them over the short boundary – and four fours to take his side over the line.He launched the assault by taking 19 off an untidy over from Mehedi Miraz, followed it with 16 off one from Mashrafe Mortaza and, with 13 required from the last, eased his side’s nerves with a vast pull for six from the first ball of the final over over the longest boundary in the ground.While it was his straight hitting that was most impressive – think of Darren Sammy at his best – it was noticeable that, when Bangladesh dropped short in an attempt to push him onto the back foot, he pulled with powerful assurance. It was, by any standards, a wonderfully persuasive performance by a man pushing for an international debut.Perhaps, had Mustafizur Rahman been playing – he was rested – things might have been different. Taskin Ahmed seemed to tire noticeably as the innings progressed and Shakib Al Hasan did not bowl his whole allocation of overs. But such was Faheem’s power that the Bangladesh bowlers’ ploy of making him hit towards the long boundary was negated and even the experience of Mortaza could find no answer for his clean hitting down the ground.Maybe we should suspend judgement on Faheem. This was a warm-up game, after all, without the large crowds or media scrutiny of a tournament match. But if he replicates anything like this in the game against India a week tomorrow – and it is hard to see how he could be left out of a Pakistan side that has been looking for a seam-bowling all-rounder since what seems the dawn of time – a star really will have been born.There was one other major caveat to this performance. The Bangladesh fielding was, at times, really quite appalling. At least five potential catches were dropped – including Faheem in the final over, allowing him to run three – and one important stumping was missed.Coming on the heels of a match against New Zealand where Bangladesh won despite dropping four chances it underlined the impression that their fielding is a major area of concern going into the Champions Trophy. As Imrul Kayes put it afterwards with a lovely hint of understatement: “I think we need a few more fielding sessions… That’s why we lost the match.”The shame of that is that, for a vast chunk of this game, Bangladesh were the better side. With Tamim Iqbal slamming a century, they set a total that we may well come to think of as something around par in a tournament that looks set to be hugely enjoyable for batsman and a complete nightmare for bowlers.After a relatively cautious start (he scored only 8 from his first 17 balls), Tamim thrashed 43 from his next 22 as he made full use of the short boundary and any width offered by Pakistan’s seamers. Imrul added a run-a-ball 61, Mushfiqur Rahim a typically pugnacious 46 and Mahmudullah and Mosaddek Hossain some impetus towards the end of the innings.With Mohammad Amir rested, Pakistan’s attack offered plenty of pace but no obvious control. Junaid Khan was taken for 25 in one over, Mushfiqur struck Imad Wasim for successive sixes and Wahab Riaz, who cannot be assured of his place in the side, was as mercurial as ever. While Hasan Ali, who could be the unfortunate man to make way for Amir’s return now that Faheem has made such a strong case for selection, leg-spinner Shahdab Khan and Faheem offered a little more control, this was a tough target for a Pakistan side who have made 340 in an ODI only once – and that against Zimbabwe – since the 2015 World Cup.And, for much of their innings, it seemed they had no chance of reaching it. Azhar Ali and Babar Azam both perished poking at balls outside off stump before Ahmed Shahzad’s promising innings was ended by a beauty from Shakib Al Hasan that gripped just a little and took his off bail. While Shoaib Malik, who was dropped on 8, and Mohammad Hafeez added 79 in 12.3 overs for the fourth-wicket to provide some hope, when they went and Sarfraz Ahmed soon followed, it seemed their chances departed with them.But Imad, who survived a stumping chance on 39, kept the chase alive before Faheem delivered his knock-out blow in partnership with Hasan.Insisting he was expecting to force his way into the side before the first match of the tournament – he was a non-playing member of the limited-overs team in the Caribbean – Faheem said he produced such innings “a lot” in first-class cricket – though a List A average of 15.52 with one half-century underlined that his shorter-format batting record is modest – and thanked his captain and coach for “their belief in me.””It’s the first innings I’ve played for Pakistan,” he said. “In first-class cricket I’ve played a lot of innings like that, but that’s the first one in one-day cricket. On one side, the boundary was very small. But they were bowling in good areas and we thought we would hit straight down the ground. I have an ability to hit straight.”He sure does. And while few will recall the details of such a warm-up game in a couple of weeks, his promise might mean that a Pakistan side seen as rank outsiders go into the tournament with hopes just a little higher.

Newcastle United are set to complete a deal to sign Leicester City's Harvey Barnes, according to reports. The winger impressed last season, even as the Foxes were unable to avoid relegation to the Championship.

Have Newcastle signed Harvey Barnes?

David Ornstein revealed on Wednesday evening that Newcastle have agreed a £38m fee to sign Barnes, and Fabrizio Romano has now shared more news on the deal, confirming personal terms are now agreed also.

Taking to Twitter, Romano said: "Newcastle are set to sign Harvey Barnes on permanent deal from Leicester, here we go!

"NUFC Deal sealed on £38/39m package and personal terms are also agreed now. Barnes wants Newcastle and deal will be completed soon. Saint-Maximin, now closer to Al Ahli move."

The deal will be the Magpies' second of the summer following the arrival of Sandro Tonali from AC Milan for a reported £55m earlier this summer. The arrival of Barnes may well see Allan Saint-Maximin depart the club, with the Frenchman edging closer to a move to Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli, as per Romano.

It is a sacrifice that Eddie Howe may be willing to pay, however, given the clear quality of Barnes' end product – the winger certainly showed last season that he is far too good to be featuring in the Championship every week for Leicester.

Instead, he looks set to be making appearances in the Champions League, as Newcastle attempt to balance both domestic and European action in the forthcoming campaign.

Will Harvey Barnes suit Newcastle United?

Reportedly on the verge of completing a move, it's worth asking the question of whether Barnes will suit Howe's Newcastle side. It looks more and more likely that he'll replace Saint-Maximin, and, with that, it must be said, that Newcastle will have themselves a significant upgrade on the Frenchman.

As per FBref, when Barnes and the current Magpies winger are compared, there is only one winner. Last season, Barnes was involved in eight more goals than Saint-Maximin, with 13 goals and one assist bettering the Newcastle man's total of one goal and five assists.

Meanwhile, Barnes also made more progressive passes and surprisingly more progressive carries too, showing just how much of an upgrade Howe would be getting.

The Leicester man certainly has his admirers, earning the praise of Alan Smith, who said via Chronicle Live: "Harvey Barnes is a good player. I think he’s really dangerous when he's on song. He’s quick and carries the ball really well. He can finish well when he comes inside from the left-hand side.

"Newcastle have been linked with him and you could see that. He will be a big loss for Leicester but somebody like that won't want to stay in The Championship. I think whoever signs him will be getting a good player."

As the transfer window goes on, it will certainly be interesting to see just who else Newcastle move for. As of right now, though, Barnes represents a smart acquisition, as the Magpies look to compete on all fronts in the coming campaign under the guidance of Howe.

West Ham United are in advanced talks over a deal for Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, with the Irons likely to shell out a fee in the region of €35m (£30M), according to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg.

What's the latest West Ham transfer news?

West Ham have now made it clear they would be interested in signing Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka, however the German has no desire to leave the Bundesliga champions this summer, so David Moyes may have to turn his attentions elsewhere.

According to Plettenberg, the Hammers have four other central midfield targets on their list, including Edson Alvarez, Sofyan Amrabat, Denis Zakaria and Gallagher, with a move for at least one of those players considered likely.

Speaking specifically about the Irons' pursuit of the Chelsea midfielder, the Sky Sports reporter said: "Talks are already well advanced with Gallagher. The fee would be between 25 and 35 million euros. At least one of the five candidates mentioned should come."

New Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino is said to be an admirer of the Englishman, so it remains to be seen whether he is willing to sanction his departure this summer, and West Ham may face fierce competition for his signature from other Premier League clubs.

Tottenham Hotspur are keen on the 23-year-old, while Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion are also thought to have him on their wanted list.

Given that the Hammers are in advanced talks to sign the England international, however, it appears as though they could be one of the clubs best-placed to secure his signature.

How good is Conor Gallagher?

It would be fair to say the Cobham academy graduate did not make the impression he would have liked to across 35 Premier League appearances last season, registering a total of just three goals and one assist.

However, during his time with Crystal Palace, when the central midfielder received much more regular game time, he managed to record eight goals and three assists in all competitions.

Not only has the Epsom-born midfielder demonstrated he has a lot to give in an attacking sense, he is also more than happy to pitch in defensively, ranking in the 96th percentile for blocks per 90 in the past year, when compared to his positional peers.

Football Scout Jacek Kulig has lauded the Chelsea ace as a "warrior", while Jermaine Jenas has praised him for his attacking prowess, saying: “I think he is a game-changer aswell Conor Gallagher. He’s the type of player that you bring on and he has an impact on the game. He presses, gets himself in the box and creates chances."

The midfielder has proven himself in the Premier League, but he is unlikely to receive much game time as he would like at Chelsea, given the Blues' heavy spending last season, bringing in Enzo Fernandez for a fee of €121m (£104m).

As such, it makes sense for Gallagher to seek pastures new at this stage of his career, and he could be a solid addition to Moyes' squad.