Journalist responds to £40m Saint-Maximin rumours & talk of ‘three-year deal’ for Steve Bruce

It’s been a manic start to Friday for Newcastle fans.

First off, the Daily Star released a big ‘exclusive’ claiming Mike Ashley is all set to reward Steve Bruce with a new three-year deal.

Then, minutes latter, NUFC fanzine True Faith claim to have been told from a ‘reliable source’ that Everton have made a £40m bid for Allan Saint-Maximin.

Not only that, they’ve stated that the Frenchman has been spotted on Tyneside playing tennis and visiting local restaurants this week – despite Steve Bruce putting his absence from Tuesday’s draw at Rotherham and Thursday’s training session down to “illness.”

Now, The Telegraph’s Luke Edwards – a known friend of Steve Bruce’s – has responded to both rumours.

Here’s what he told his 30,000 Twitter followers this lunchtime, believing Bruce is on a rolling contract anyway – meaning no new contract is needed – and that Newcastle are under ‘no pressure’ to sell a ASM after placing an astronomical price tag on his head:

And on Saint-Maximin, I have no doubt he is unsettled and there are plenty of people around him who would like to get him a move but they are same people who got him to sign a six-year contract last year and valuation is £70m+ #nufc have strong hand – no pressure to sell

— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) July 30, 2021

If Mike Ashley really is demanding £70m for Saint-Maximin, he won’t be sold anytime soon. Saying that, I struggle to believe he’d reject anything closer to £50m myself!

This hardly clears up ASM’s current situation. Is he really ill? Is Bruce lying to fans about the reasons behind his absence? Is he pushing for a move or has he been ‘pinged’ and told to stay away from the group?

Who knows, but it’s been another day of chaos – and not in a good way when it comes to much needed new signings.

With us set to face Burton tonight in our penultimate friendly of the summer and that opening day clash with West Ham just two weeks away, it’s time we got our ship in order to give fans a glimmer of hope ahead of the new season.