Newcastle United's Harvey Barnes considers big international football allegiance switch

Harvey Barnes made a big decision on his club future over the summer when he made the switch from Leicester City to Newcastle United - and is now apparently on the cusp of doing the same on the international stage.

The 25-year-old winger departed the Foxes following their relegation from the Premier League to the Championship, having come through the youth team ranks at the King Power Stadium.

He made the switch to Eddie Howe's Newcastle, who have Champions League football to look forward to this season, for a reported transfer fee of nearly £40 million.

Barnes has so far played four times for the Magpies and has one goal to his name for the North East club, which came on his debut in the 5-1 Premier League thrashing of Aston Villa.

On the international front, Barnes was born in Burnley and grew up in Leicestershire and has represented England through the youth team ranks at under-18, under-20 and under-21 level.

He has even played for the England senior team, having picked up a cap for the Three Lions in 2020, coming off the bench for Gareth Southgate's side in a 3-0 international friendly victory over Wales.

But Barnes has not picked up any further appearances for the Three Lions since then - and it appears he may not collect any more caps for England as he ponders a big decision which impacts his international future.

Getty)

According to the Times, Barnes is considering changing his international allegiance from England to Scotland and is said to be open minded about the prospect.

He qualifies to play for Scotland through his grandparents on his mother's side, both of whom were born there.

Changing international allegiances is nothing new, with Declan Rice having switched from the Republic of Ireland to England, and Diego Costa changing from Brazil to Spain in the past.

It remains to be seen if Barnes does indeed go through with making the switch, with his chances of playing for Scotland probably more likely at this time given the wealth of attacking options available to the England national team.