West Ham do have a “major advantage” over other teams in the battle to sign Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes, according to Football League World (FLW).

The website claims that the 25-year-old is “keen” on “a move to a London club” which would make the Hammers a more attractive destination than the likes of Newcastle.

Arsenal have also been mentioned as potential suitors for Barnes in recent weeks, but it is believed that it will come down to a two-way fight between West Ham and the Magpies for the player’s services.

At the moment, FLW report that Eddie Howe’s team have made the most headway in negotiations with Leicester but, combined with Barnes’ interest in moving to the capital, they also have problems with the winger’s price tag.

The Foxes want £35m for Barnes, which is not a figure that Newcastle’s owners are prepared to pay due to Financial Fair Play restrictions. The club have recently shelled out £60m on Sandro Tonali and they don’t have the flexibility in the budget to match Leicester’s demands without selling players.

West Ham will have no issues when it comes to funding a bid

Once Declan Rice’s £105m move to Arsenal is rubberstamped, the shackles will be off in terms of the Irons’ summer spending.

Reliable sources say that Barnes is the number one target for manager David Moyes, once the funds from Rice’s sale have been secured, so there is a good chance that they will table a bid for the England international pretty soon.

Why is Moyes interested in signing Barnes?

It is believed that West Ham are prepared to sell Said Benrahma this summer for the right price, which does leave a gap open on the left wing.

Barnes was excellent for Leicester last season despite their relegation from the Premier League, having scored 13 goals, and Moyes is keen to add that firepower to his front three.