PHILADELPHIA: Newcastle United have confirmed the $48 million signing of England international Harvey Barnes to ease Eddie Howe鈥檚 transfer concerns.

The winger, who netted 13 goals in 40 appearances for Leicester City last season, signed a five-year deal at St. James鈥� Park and becomes the third Magpies鈥� signing of the window, following the arrival of forward Yankuba Minteh and Italian international midfielder Sandro Tonali.

Howe has expressed his frustrations this summer, with the club being held back by what many describe as the 鈥淣ewcastle tax,鈥� given the wealth of majority owners the Public Investment Fund of 黑料社区, as well as being restricted by the Premier League鈥檚 Financial Fair Play regulations.

However, the arrival of 25-year-old Barnes, who was also courted by Manchester United and West Ham United, has delighted Howe, whose side take on Aston Villa in the Premier League Summer Series in the US in the early hours of Monday.

鈥淗arvey is an exciting talent who I have admired for a long time, so I鈥檓 delighted to welcome him to Newcastle United,鈥� said Howe.

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

鈥淗e will add a different element to our play and we look forward to working with him as we prepare for the season ahead.鈥�

The move is likely to see Allan Saint-Maximin depart the Magpies, with the fan favorite on the verge of signing for Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli in a deal likely to be worth in the region of $32 million to Newcastle.

Saint-Maximin鈥檚 departure to another PIF-owned outfit has drawn some criticism from other Premier League clubs, who believe it to be a form of 鈥渇inancial doping鈥� in a bid for Newcastle to navigate FFP troubles. However, club sources have told Arab News the deal is of no concern, as it represents fair market value.

The Magpies are now likely to target defensive reinforcements, with rising Southampton star Tino Livramento at the top of sporting director Dan Ashworth鈥檚 wanted list. For now, though, Barnes further strengthens Newcastle鈥檚 ranks 鈥� and could well be involved at Philadelphia鈥檚 Lincoln Financial Fields against Unai Emery鈥檚 men.

On the move, Barnes said: 鈥淚鈥檓 delighted. It鈥檚 an amazing club, and for me it鈥檚 a massive opportunity to come and be involved in a successful team that鈥檚 doing exciting things, so I鈥檓 absolutely buzzing to be here.

鈥淚 think it鈥檚 an attacker鈥檚 dream to come into a team like this; it鈥檚 high paced, it鈥檚 physically demanding, but you can see the rewards of that with the chances and the goals scored, so I think I鈥檒l certainly suit the style.鈥�