Cash no concern as Barnes buys into ‘project’
MERCURIAL midfielder Harvey Barnes turned down the big bucks to join West Bromwich Albion in the summer.
Technical director Luke Dowling said a number of the Baggies’ Championship rivals were beating down Barnes’ door, with Leeds United widely reported to have been one of them.
But the talented youngster, who made his England Under-21s debut against Scotland on Tuesday night, opted for The Hawthorns when deciding his next season-long loan move away from Leicester City.
“West Brom weren’t the only club in for him,” said Dowling, who joined the Baggies from Nottingham Forest last month.
“There were many other clubs in the Championship and many were willing to pay Harvey a lot more money than West Brom.
“I think that says a lot about the boy, his family, and the way this club man- aged that situation. He saw the project here, how Darren (Moore) wants to play, and how he will flourish. We’ve seen that in certain games, like Sheffield Wednesday.”
Barnes has helped to drive the Baggies into the automatic promotion places with five goals, including a stunning solo effort at Hillsborough, and two assists.
His form has understandably grabbed the attention of Leicester boss Claude Puel, who is reportedly considering an early recall of the playmaker in January.
Dowling clearly speaks from a position of bias, but the 41-year-old, who was hired following Giuliano Terraneo’s disastrous spell as technical consultant, insists that staying put would enhance Barnes’ long-term development.
“If he goes back in January, I wouldn’t have thought he’d be in the first team, although he’d be around their squad,” Dowling said. “Is that the best thing for Harvey Barnes’ career? No. Selfishly, from a West Brom point of view, if he stays with us for the whole season he will threaten Leicester’s first team next July.
“As we speak, there’s been no contact from Leicester in terms of his going back. We speak to them regularly about his development, which is natural in any loan.
“In terms of the speculation with Harvey going back, we can’t say definitely either way. He’s not our player, he’s come in and done very well, hence the speculation.
“That’s come from the Demarai Gray injury, some Leicester fans said ‘perhaps we need Harvey back’. I think that shows how well he’s doing here. The way he’s adapted to our club and the way Darren has got him playing in his system suits him.”
Dowling, who will lead Albion’s recruitment drive in January alongside Moore, knows Barnes’ immediate future is out of Albion’s hands.
But he suggested Barnes might want to influence the decision in Albion’s favour.
“If Leicester say ‘we’re recalling you’, Harvey can’t say ‘I’m staying’,” he added. “Ultimately, it is down to Leicester but I think Harvey will have a say.
“I think Harvey’s enjoying himself and he sees what the club is doing for him.”