Allan Saint-Maximin has had his future speculated about this season amid interest from Premier League clubs and sides overseas, but Frank McAvennie believes the 25-year-old should stay at Newcastle United due to his importance.
Saint-Maximin joined the Magpies from OGC Nice in 2019 and has gone on to make 93 appearances in all competitions, scoring 12 goals with 16 assists. This season, the uncapped Frenchman was second in the Newcastle scoring charts (5), top of the assist charts (5) and top of the dribbles charts (150 successful dribbles).
It’s easy to see why the 25-year-old has interest, but his £50m asking price would surely keep clubs away. McAvennie can’t see him leaving either, telling Football Insider: “I have to say, I have always been a fan of his.
“I think he is a great player and pretty much pulled Newcastle through the seasons in which Steve Bruce was there. Maybe he isn’t as important now, but he still has so much talent.”
Newcastle have lucrative funds to build a new squad and will update every position eventually, but it’s not their priority to buy another wide-man. Eddie Howe wants a defender, midfielder and striker this summer, so it makes little sense to replace an existing attacker that still has worth.
Saint-Maximin still has four years remaining on his deal at St James’ Park, so there needn’t be a rush to cash in.
In other news, Paddy Kenny says Isaac Hayden ‘isn’t good enough’
