But with Alan Shearer insisting we need a "world class creative midfielder", is Barnes seriously the sort of player who will match the best of the best?Keegan says he sees a top four place a possibility next campaign, but is Barnes the sort of player who will compete with the Gerrard's and Lampard's of this world?
Keegan is struggling to bring in quality, and Nicky Butt is the first player to suggest the boss should not lower his standards by signing players "just for the sake of a new face".
And the frustration is starting to show, with Keegan saying "It won't be the end of the world if I get nobody".