Newcastle United’s first summer transfer window as the richest club in the world was expected to be one full of endless spending in order to secure some top-class players to aid their push up the Premier League table next season.
But following a £94 million spend in the January transfer window, the Magpies may be limited to just £100m for their transfer budget this summer due to Financial Fair Play rules, meaning that extra funds can only be generated through player sales.
And now Eddie Howe is weighing up the sale of fan favourite Allan Saint-Maximin in order to add to his spending budget, which has put fellow Premier League clubs on high alert over the Frenchman’s availability this summer.
According to the Daily Mail, the Magpies have been working on negotiations to extend Saint-Maximin’s existing deal in the north east this summer, following another impressive campaign in which he registered five goals and five assists in 35 games to help his side secure their top flight status.
The 25-year-old has become a huge fan favourite on Tyneside for his style of play that boasts plenty of trickery and explosive pace, while he has often connected well with the Gallowgate faithful on social media platforms through his interactions and witty humour.
But due to the wage structure that Newcastle have put in place, they are struggling to offer him a greater salary, which has begun to frustrate the Frenchman, and now his head is beginning to turn in the direction of those who can offer him much more lucrative deals.
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Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly interested in signing the winger, but have been put off by Newcastle’s £40m-minimum price tag. With Saint-Maximin’s overall performances for the Magpies during his three-season stay, it can be argued that this is a fair price.
And after signing a six-year-deal upon arriving from Ligue 1 side Nice in August 2019, the Frenchman still has three years to run on his existing contract at St. James’ Park, of which the Magpies will be keen to recoup the majority of the money they paid for him - and potentially even more.
In 96 appearances for Newcastle since joining the club almost three years ago, the 25-year-old has registered 12 goals, although he has not yet experienced a campaign in the north east that has not involved a relegation battle, although it has often seen him become the star man in the side.
But with a £40m price tag continuing to disinterest the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham, and with the Magpies keen to add to their transfer budget with the sale of the Frenchman, then the club’s hierarchy may have to lower their asking price when looking at the bigger picture.
While Newcastle’s other wingers in Josh Murphy, Ryan Fraser and Miguel Almiron are not quite on the same level as their teammate, the Magpies have been linked with players such as Ismaila Sarr, Jesse Lingard, Yannick Carrasco and now Thorgan Hazard for those positions.
But should they wish to purchase players of this calibre, then they are going to need to generate more transfer funds, and as much as both parties want the Frenchman to remain at St. James’ Park, they may have to let one of their most valuable assets leave in order to move forward.
