Should you stick or twist? Allan Saint-Maximin’s long-term future at Newcastle United has been one of the club’s hot topics for the last two years or so.
On his day, the French winger is one of the Premier League’s most potent attacking threats, but those performances have been few and far between since Eddie Howe took over as manager. Saint-Maximin was the star man at St. James’ Park in his early days, capable of creating a moment of magic when needed, and he should be credited for keeping the Magpies in the top flight.
The 26-year-old has long talked about his ambition to play in Europe and that’s set to come to fruition this season – if he stays at the club. The player himself has reiterated how happy he is on Tyneside and Eddie Howe has stressed how important he is to squad.
Nonetheless, there have been reports claiming Saint-Maximin’s camp are asking for a new deal to show his importance under the new ownership. The club on the other hand, are said to be happy with his current deal given he signed fresh terms under Mike Ashley until the summer of 2026.
A new deal – which would likely result in a pay rise – wouldn’t be in the club’s best interest given their need to comply with Financial Fair Play. It’s been suggested the Toon will look to offload Saint-Maximin this summer in order to facilitate a move for Leicester City’s Harvey Barnes – a deal that makes sense.
The Foxes winger scored 13 goals in a dismal side in 2022/23 and scored the same amount of goals last season as the Frenchman has in his entire Newcastle career. For all the flair and stepovers, Saint-Maximin’s output in the final third is far from where the Magpies are aiming for.
The emergence of the Saudi Pro League this summer has already seen some of the world’s top players head to the Middle East for a pay day and given PIF’s links with Newcastle, a move for Saint-Maximin would also make sense. However, given the Saudi input at St James’ Park, the Toon would be under the scrutiny of the Premier League and a fee would have to match the market value, or thereabouts for the winger.
Newcastle could cash in now and give their European project a financial boost, while also allowing Saint-Maximin the opportunity to line his pockets – football is after all a short career. But, on the other hand, it’s also fair to say the French winger deserves a crack at Champions League football given his loyalty in those early years and desire to compete against the best.
If he goes well in Europe, his stock may rise, but he remains the most sellable asset at St. James’ Park.
At times, it appears that people are attempting to drive Saint-Maximin out of the club, but this is not the case. If he consistently delivered, there would be little need for discussion regarding his future, as Miggy Almiron, Sean Longstaff, and Jacob Murphy are great examples.
In a team that thrived on offense, he only managed one goal and five assists. Newcastle will eventually start looking for genuine options.
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