Newcastle consider £45m sale with shock exit possible for Eddie Howe signing - Report

Newcastle are reportedly prepared to cash in on a relatively recent signing who is struggling for regular starts. 

A mid-season shakeup may well be on the cards for Eddie Howe’s side, with a number of players touted for a potential exit as we head into January requiring sales to spend on first-team additions.

Here's the latest, as Newcastle consider some tough business decisions to help us navigate within the frustrating world of PSR.

Barnes available if Newcastle receive big offer

The Telegraph's Luke Edwards reports that Harvey Barnes is one of five who could depart this month in what would be a 'shock exit' in just his second season with the Magpies.

However, it would take a fee “in excess of £45 million” to acquire the 27-year-old at risk of being sacrificed for PSR reasons.

Barnes has struggled to nail down a first team spot with just six starts in the Premier League this season after arriving for over £35 million last July and is perhaps one of the ‘big’ players that we could afford to lose.

It has also been reported that Miguel Almiron is the “most likely” player to leave the club during the winter with interest from South America and the MLS. Sean Longstaff, Kieran Trippier and Martin Dubravka may depart too.

As far as Barnes goes, not many clubs would have the money available to spend in the midpoint of the season and it will prove difficult for a deal to be concluded - though if it is, it could finance a move for a right-winger down the line, with PSV's Johan Bakayoko and Southampton star Tyler Dibling both heavily linked.

A peculiar signing?

Barnes is without doubt a good player and has performed for us when required, but it was a strange decision to sign another left-winger when Anthony Gordon had already been brought in for in excess of £40 million. 

The thinking may have been that Gordon would be utilised on the right of the front three, but it’s now clearer than ever that he’s better suited to the left side, leaving Barnes at risk of being sacrificed if he frees up big money.

He was not a bad player to sign by any means - the quality is there - it's just a little bit of a strange decision when other positions ranked higher on the priority list at the time. 

Taking PSR into consideration Barnes feels somewhat disposable especially if we are to acquire the fee that he is valued at. If Barnes isn’t considered a starter, we must be ruthless and sanction the sale to free up funds to reinvest elsewhere.