Chelsea are eager to bolster their forward options this summer – and with Romelu Lukaku on his way back to Inter Milan, their search is set to intensify over the coming weeks. The Blues hold interest in the likes of Raheem Sterling, Richarlison and Ousmane Dembele, football.london understands.
However, a new name has appeared in the rumour mill in recent days. The Daily Mail are reporting that Chelsea are one of the clubs to have shown an interest in Newcastle United winger Allan Saint-Maximin.
The 25-year-old has been at St. James' Park since the summer of 2019 and could look to move on if the right offer comes his way over the next few months. Saint-Maximin, according to the aforementioned report, has had his 'head turned' by the higher salaries set to be on offer to him.
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Saint-Maximin has become somewhat of a maverick player during his time on Tyneside. Consistency has let him down somewhat, but when he is in the mood, he can be unplayable, as Frank Lampard can attest to.
After Everton were beaten 3-1 by Newcastle at St. James', Lampard raved about the Frenchman after the match. "Saint-Maximin, on a night like this, is pretty much unplayable at any level of football with the way he plays."
The way he plays: the dribbling, the speed, the trickery and swagger – all of these attributes make Saint-Maximin a very attractive player on the eye. Lampard is not alone with his praise of the Newcastle wide man.
Here's what Gary Neville said about him to Sky Sports last year: "What was incredible was we came down here [by the touchline] to watch him [Saint-Maximin] at eye level. To see his speed, his movement, it's absolutely breathtaking."
What has Saint-Maximin said on his future?
Saint-Maximin recently insisted he doesn't see a future away from Newcastle anytime soon. Speaking to GOAL last month, the former OGC Nice star said: "To be honest, right now I do not see myself leaving Newcastle.
"After that, there are a lot of things that can change. Several big clubs approached me for a future transfer.
"These are clubs that did not come for me when I was in Nice. Newcastle came at a very important time in my career. They gave me a lot of confidence. I am a very grateful person.
"That's why, moreover, even at times when it could be very complicated for the club, like last season, I decided not to leave so that I had the chance. I feel good here."
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