Allan Saint-Maximin will stay at Newcastle United 'beyond the summer' if he can continue his form until the end of the season. The future of the Frenchman is a hot topic among the Toon Army fanbase with opinion split on whether the winger would remain on Tyneside next season.
The 26-year-old has impressed as Newcastle United recorded wins over Wolves, Man United, and West Ham - although a poor showing against Nottingham Forest where he was subbed at half-time, reignited the debate over his future. However, the last two games has arguably seen Saint-Maximin back to his best - grabbing assists against Man United and West Ham.
Few doubt the quality of the former Nice man but a large portion of criticism leveled at him was over his lack of consistency when it came to his performances yet two solid outings has people hoping that Saint-Maximin can finish the season strongly. Newcastle have been linked to several wingers but our Newcastle United Editor Aaron Stokes feels just as Miguel Almiron did in the first half of the season - Saint-Maximin is now stepping up.
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Speaking on The Everything is Black and White Podcast, he said: "It feels like every couple of months we say 'this is a huge time for Saint-Maximin - he has to play for his future,' this time it really feels like he does because you've got Anthony Gordon, Joelinton and the threat of a new midfielder potentially coming in the summer.
"Maxi has stepped up as Miggy did at the start of the season and that takes the pressure off the recruitment team who would have to replace him. It's now just all about consistency. If he can continue this form until the end of the season, I think he stays beyond the summer.
"We know he can put in performances but we've been asking for consistency. It's really good to see him building consistency, and playing with confidence again.
"He looks so much fitter than any other time this season I've seen him play in a Newcastle shirt. If he can do it against Brentford, then Villa and there's no drop-off between now and May, he stays at the club.
"He is one of their only sellable assets, and there is interest in him from abroad and no doubt a lot of Premier League clubs would fancy taking him but when he plays as he did against Man United and then at West Ham, he fits in this team perfectly.
"The last couple of months, we've noticed that he's looked restricted and tried to change his game but he is starting to strike that balance of knowing when to take a play on and get to the byline, and knowing when to give it and go.
"I feel like we're seeing the old Maxi."
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