Newcastle United have reportedly increased their bid for OGC Nice winger Allan Saint-Maximin to €18 million – but is he worth the fee?
According to claims from French news outlet RMC Sport, the Magpies have offered €2 million more than their opening proposal of €16 million, which was knocked back by the Ligue 1 club.
Saint-Maximin is a player on Newcastle’s radar, with Steve Bruce keen to enhance his attacking options, and it is easy to see why.
Rafa Benitez deployed a more defensively-oriented system last term, which involved wing-backs. However, it would appear as though the new manager is keen to incorporate wingers, and the Frenchman would provide this alternative.
Saint-Maximin is a player who earned plenty of plaudits throughout last season. While he struggled to maintain consistency, his energetic performances on the wing for Nice were exciting to watch.
Times are bleak at Newcastle, and acquiring a player who will get the fans off their feet would certainly be a wise move.
Nice are, as per RMC, keen to hold out for €20 million, but there seems to be a sense that a deal will be reached as the Magpies continue to push to accelerate their dealings.
The transfer window slams shut for Newcastle in under two weeks, meaning that they will need to act fast if they are to strike a deal for Saint-Maximin, who would undoubtedly improve their attacking ranks.
For a figure in this region, given the inflated values in today’s market, it would be a low-risk signing with potentially immense rewards.
