Allan Saint-Maximin’s mother, Nadege, has revealed that Mino Raiola tried taking the winger to AC Milan last summer, reports The Athletic.
Newcastle signed the 22-year from Nice for a fee in the region of £16.5million last summer, with the arrival of the exciting winger at St James’ Park having piqued the interest of many.
The Frenchman has suffered various injury issues this season, resulting in him having only made 14 Premier League appearances since joining the Magpies, scoring on just one occasion (Transfermarkt).
Nadege claims that despite having many other offers, Saint-Maximin chose to join Newcastle as he would get to play football, and that he was not lured or motivated by money.
Talking to The Athletic, Nadege said:
We have had many agents who have tried to tie down Allan. Mino Raiola has approached him on a few occasions and he tried to take him to AC Milan last year.
Previous coaches have tried to get him to sign to their agents as well. But Kurtys [ASM’s brother and agent] knows what Allan wants; it’s not about money, it’s about football. When Allan moves somewhere, it’s to play.
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Raiola’s desire to get Saint-Maximin a high profile move to a European giant only goes to highlight how much of a steal Newcastle got when they signed the Frenchman, who had long been tipped to join a Champions League club.
In that vein of thought, it is positive to see a player who has been held in such high regard join a club like Newcastle, who aren’t exactly flourishing in the Premier League year on year, in order to play football and develop as a player.
Should Saint-Maximin finally put his injuries issues behind him on Tyneside, and should he continue to perform well for the Magpies, Newcastle could benefit if Raiola comes calling once again, as the club would be unlikely to accept a bid as low as £16million for a 22-year old exciting forward who is attracting interest, meaning they would pocket profit.
Either that or he stays and continues to impress for Newcastle, which would also be hugely beneficial for the club.
