Leicester City may always thank Barnsley, West Brom for huge cash windfall | OneFootball

Harvey Barnes joined Newcastle United for £38 million in the summer of 2023 from Leicester City

Harvey Barnes enjoyed two impressive loan spells in the EFL Championship with Barnsley and West Brom before becoming a mainstay at his parent club, Leicester City, ahead of a blockbuster switch to Newcastle United in the summer of 2023.

Having joined the youth ranks of Leicester City at the age of nine in 2007, Harvey Barnes progressed his way through the Foxes setup all the way to the first team, and made his senior debut as a late substitute in the club's 5-0 away loss to FC Porto in the UEFA Champions League.

The winger would subsequently join MK Dons in League One in January 2017 for the second half of the campaign, where he would become a regular in the side, scoring six and assisting once in 21 third-tier games.

Ahead of returning to Leicester in the summer, it was made clear that he would once again not be an immediate part of the first team plans at the King Power Stadium and was made available for loan.

Following his impressive displays for MK Dons, in what was his first regular taste of senior football, teams in the EFL Championship were circling Barnes.

Harvey Barnes enjoyed two successful loan spells in the EFL Championship with Barnsley and West Brom

After his MK Dons success, Barnsley would come calling in August 2017, and he would make the move to Oakwell on a season-long loan, though Leicester had the option to recall him should they desire.

Barnes would score his first goal for the club in a 3-0 home win over newly-relegated Sunderland, and his impressive displays would continue throughout the season, proving to be a tricky opponent, cutting inside on his right foot off the left flank.

The winger netted a stunning equaliser away to Sheffield Wednesday in October 2017, and would grab two goals and two assists in the three games that followed.

Leicester decided to recall Barnes from his loan spell with the Tykes that January, though he would largely play in the Premier League 2 for the Foxes upon his return, playing just eight minutes of Premier League football that season.

However, his displays in the second tier had not been forgotten, and the Englishman would again be loaned out to the EFL Championship for the 2018/19 season, this time to West Brom, with the Foxes again possessing the option of an early recall.

Barnes continued where he left off in the Championship, scoring on his debut in a 2-1 home defeat to Bolton Wanderers.

The winger made 26 appearances in the second tier at The Hawthorns, starting each one, hitting nine and assisting seven before Leicester once again took up the option of an early recall of Barnes.

West Brom finished 4th in the division and lost in the play-off semi-final, though if they had managed to keep Barnes for the remainder of the season, they may well have achieved promotion.

With the likes of Dwight Gayle, Jay Rodriguez, and Matt Phillips supporting him in attack, Barnes gained invaluable development during his spell with the Baggies, which has no doubt served him well since.

Leicester City pocketed £38 million following the sale of Harvey Barnes to Newcastle United

Barnes made 16 Premier League appearances upon his return to the King Power Stadium in January 2020 and would become a regular in the Foxes' side for the following four seasons.

In total, the once-capped Englishman made 187 appearances in all competitions for Leicester, scoring 45 and assisting 32 before his £38 million move to Newcastle United in the summer of 2023 following the Foxes' shock relegation from the Premier League.

Upon moving to the North East, head coach Eddie Howe said, "Harvey is an exciting talent who I have admired for a long time, so I'm delighted to welcome him to Newcastle United.

"He is strong, quick and very good technically, and he showed last season in particular that he has an eye for goal from wide positions."

Barnes has continued to be a solid Premier League player for Newcastle, whilst also representing them in the UEFA Champions League on numerous occasions

The winger has had to compete with the likes of Jacob Murphy, Anthony Gordon, and Anthony Elanga for a place in Howe's side, but has remained a strong competitor, able to play off either flank.

Leicester pocketed a pure profit of £38 million for Barnes, and although the Foxes had struggled both on and off the pitch since his departure, the fee they got for him was substantial, and almost wouldn't have been close to the sum had he not had those brief loan spells with either Barnsley or West Brom.