Eddie Howe has confirmed that Allan Saint-Maximin is in talks to leave the club after playing no part in Tuesday’s 2-1 win at Rangers.
It emerged before kick off that the winger hadn’t travelled with the squad following interest from Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal. A few hours on, the boss has confirmed that he’s in talks over a move.
Howe admits that “we have to trade” due to FFP restrictions, saying we’d be “stuck this summer” without outgoings. Sadly, he states “it look like it will happen”, despite ASM not pushing for a move away from St James’ Park.
Here’s what Howe told BBC Newcastle after Tuesday’s 2-1 win over Rangers, which saw Miguel Almiron and Harrison Ashby score at Ibrox:
“He’s in discussions regarding a move. That’s why he wasn’t here (at Rangers), and it’s doubtful he’ll join us in America. With FFP we have to trade otherwise we would be stuck this summer. I don’t want to lose him. FFP forces it, to a degree. It looks like it will happen. Sometimes these things have to happen for club to grow.
“FFP is a new dynamic which really came to the fore after my first window here when we knew it would impact us. Player trading is a key part of it – you can’t hit it, if you don’t trade. We’re forced to trade a player this window.
“I don’t think Maxi necessarily wants to leave (but) he may feel it’s the right time for him to move. It’s difficult for me to speak for him, but he hasn’t asked to leave. There’s been no issue between him and any of us coaches. We all love him.
“If the deal didn’t go through, I’d be delighted. It would obviously impact our ability to bring any more players in, and then we potentially might have to sell another player. That’s the way that financial fair play has hit us.”
Sell Fraser, Manquillo, Lewis, Darlow and Lascelles and move Ritchie to back room staff. Get a RCB (like Anderson, or Disasi), Livramento and Barnes and try to keep Maxi too..Surely with the new Sela deal, Noon, TV deals, Premier league money for coming 4th, CL qualification and higher gate receipts we can do that?
Silva77(Quote)
Absolute heartbreaker to lose maxi, not just a true x factor that can turn any game on its head, but the only logjt we had when times were at their darkest. And I genuinely don’t think barnes is anywhere near the level of maxi either. Not happy to lose him at all.
Toonali87(Quote)
Logjt = light
Toonali87(Quote)