Harv price Toon

BILLIONS IN BANK, BUT HOWE STILL HAS TO WHEEL & DEAL TO THE MAX

- SIMON BIRD

AS Newcastle boss Eddie Howe heaped 'love and respect' on departing Allan Saint-Maximin, in flew Leicester winger Harvey Barnes.

Fans' favourite Saint Max, out for £25million, 25-year-old Barnes, relegated with Leicester, in for £35m.

This week marked a significant reshuffle of the Magpies' leftwing threat and an indication of financial policy. They will buy, but also be timely sellers.

Howe admitted selling Saint-Maximin, 26, to Al-Ahli was a "difficult moment".

But, at Newcastle's new level, it is a ruthless business.

And Barnes' productivity, in goals and assists, even last season in a relegated Foxes side, prove that the numbers do add up and not just in terms of easing the Toon's Financial Fair Play concerns.

Barnes is the sort of direct, fit, quick forward Howe likes.

He has 28 league goals in the last three seasons, while Saint-Maximin has just nine - one last term and averages between four and five assists per campaign.