According to the Athletic, sources close to Allan Saint-Maximin have indicated the Frenchman is happy on Tyneside – but doesn’t want to be involved in ‘regular relegation battles’.
The 22-year-old’s future was cast into doubt last week after an ‘exclusive’ from Craig Hope reported he’d had a ‘fallout’ with Steve Bruce – however those claims have been played down by the NUFC boss, with his performances against West Brom and Southampton suggesting he’s anything but unsettled.
That said, both Wolves and Crystal Palace have been credited with an interest in the winger – who quite rightfully has ambitions above fighting for Premier League safety each season.
Here’s a snippet from Chris Waugh’s latest piece on ASM for The Athletic:
‘Wolverhampton Wanderers and Crystal Palace have both been linked with the forward but there is little desire at St James’ Park to sell a player they signed on a six-year contract last summer just one season into his deal.
‘As of yet, the forward has not agitated for a move, either, even if sources close to Saint-Maximin indicate he does not want to be involved in regular relegation battles.’
In all honesty, this is probably the case for several Newcastle United players.
Yes we’ve struggled as a team for large parts of the season, but we have several players who are more than capable of playing for ambitious top 8 sides looking to qualify for Europe.
The likes of Dubravka, Schar and Almiron arguably all fit into this bracket, while loanees Lazaro, Rose and Bentaleb are also players who’ve been used to competing in Europe and at the top of their respective leagues.
This in itself is part of the long-term concern NUFC fans quite rightly have. OK, we might stay up, but what direction are we actually going in under Mike Ashley?
Is surviving and enjoying a cup run Steve Bruce’s ceiling at Newcastle United?
We must enjoy what’s been a very good week both in the league and cup, with us into the quarters and EIGHT clear of the drop zone, but Ashley must demand more than staying up each season if he’s to keep top talents like Saint-Maximin at St James’ Park.
Little interest in selling? Yeah sure, like Wijnaldum for example?
sickandtired(Quote)
That makes no sense, he had a relegation clause in his contract so we had little choice but to sell him. I guess blaming the club for everything is so much easier to do though these days.
Far from a fan of how are club is run but some of our fans tinfoil hat rants are hilarious 🙄
porkpie(Quote)