According to an exclusive report from British media, Scotland national team manager Steve Clarke has made another attempt to persuade Newcastle United winger Harvey Barnes to represent Scotland in competitions, and has promised him a place in the World Cup squad.
Scotland has been trying to convince Barnes to play for the team for some time, but has stepped up its efforts in the past few weeks, urging the 28-year-old player to give a response before the March international break.
Sources from Scotland stated that although Barnes previously expressed his desire to represent his country of birth, he is open to switching his international allegiance.
Barnes would be an excellent addition to Clarke's squad, having been in outstanding form for Newcastle this season. He has scored 12 goals, including 5 in the UEFA Champions League, which would add a sharp attacking weapon to Scotland's frontline.
Barnes prefers to play on the left wing, cutting inside to shoot with his right foot, but he can also play on the right, and Eddie Howe has even used him as a centre-forward in a fluid front three.
Clarke is eager to bring him on board, and Barnes, who is eligible to play for Scotland through his grandparents, is flattered by this persistent pursuit. He is therefore considering the matter carefully and will make a decision soon.
Barnes is ranked quite low in the pecking order of England wingers under Thomas Tuchel. Although he has always considered himself English, he is desperate to experience international football.
If he agrees to renounce his eligibility for England and features for Scotland in matches before the World Cup, Barnes will be highly likely to start for Scotland in their World Cup group stage opener against Haiti on June 14.
Scotland has planned a friendly against Japan on March 28 and a World Cup warm-up match against Curaçao on May 30. The team successfully qualified for the World Cup last November with a dramatic group stage win over Denmark at Hampden Park.
When asked about playing for Scotland, Barnes has always kept an open mind about his stance. He considers himself English and has made one appearance for his country, a friendly against Wales in 2020.
But he has waited as long as possible for another call-up to the England squad, and the competition for places is extremely fierce under Tuchel. Despite enjoying a prolific season at Newcastle, he is not in the German coach's plans.
Scotland has the best squad of this generation and is in high spirits after qualifying for the World Cup for the first time since 1998.
There will also be some people in Scotland who have reservations about welcoming Barnes, after all, he has hesitated to switch his allegiance for two years. They will argue that Barnes did not participate in Scotland's qualification process and should not be directly parachuted into the World Cup squad.
This sentiment is understandable, but it ignores the fact that Clarke is desperate to sign Barnes and has never given up the pursuit. There is a reason for this. The simple truth is that Scotland will be a stronger team with Barnes in the side.
He is enjoying the best season of his career at Newcastle, a rare player who has the ability to score goals no matter how quiet he is in a match. He can also score all types of goals, whether it's a long-range strike, a header or a poacher's finish.
Those who know Barnes best speak highly of his qualities as a teammate. He is not arrogant and has no airs. He is the type of player once described as a good, honest professional. It is highly unlikely that he will do anything to disrupt team harmony, and he will most likely be welcomed by his new Scotland teammates, just as he is at Newcastle.
