Aston Villa tracking 16-goal winger from Premier League rivals

Villa are keeping tabs on Newcastle winger Harvey Barnes as Unai Emery looks to bolster his attacking options this summer.

The 28-year-old is on the club’s shortlist heading into a window where Villa will once again need to tread carefully to remain compliant with Uefa’s financial fair play rules.

Barnes has enjoyed a strong season despite the Magpies’ struggles in the Premier League, scoring 16 goals in all competitions.

It is understood the one-time Albion loanee, who is from Leicester, would be keen on the move if a deal could be progressed though the price tag could prove tricky, with Newcastle expected to demand anything up to £40million for a player who has two years remaining on his contract.

Emery is eager to add extra depth to his squad as Villa prepare to make their Champions League return.

A permanent deal for Jadon Sancho is unlikely to be pursued following a largely underwhelming season on loan from Manchester United, while the futures of Evann Guessand and Leon Bailey are also uncertain.

Crystal Palace have an option to buy Guessand permanently for around £28m after the Ivory Coast international spent the second half of the season on loan at Selhurst Park.

Villa will also seek suitors for Bailey, who saw only limited playing time after being recalled early from a season-long loan at Roma.