It looks increasingly likely that Allan Saint-Maximin will be leaving Newcastle United in the coming days; a move that looks set to kick-start further incomings at St James’ Park.
The winger did not travel to our pre-season clash with Rangers and is not part of the 34-man squad currently in the USA. On Tuesday night, Eddie Howe spoke like a man resigned to losing the Frenchman to Al-Ahli, reluctantly sanctioning a move to free up funds for further signings and satisfy FFP restrictions.
So, what does this mean for Newcastle and our ongoing search for new signings? Based on previous reports and our undoubted interest, Saint-Maximin’s sale will clear the way for Harvey Barnes’ arrival, while a new improved bid for Tino Livramento is also on the cards.
Barnes is edging closer to a £38m move to St James’ Park, with the winger on Tyneside as we speak and set to be unveiled tomorrow. However, I expect Saint-Maximin’s exit to create more than one opening. The Telegraph reported last week that a move for ASM would also boost our hopes of landing Livramento; who Southampton are refusing to sell on the cheap following relegation.
We’ve already had two bids rejected for the right-back, but the cash injection due from Saint-Maximin’s sale could free up funds to sign both Barnes and Livramento. With a right-sided centre-back also wanted, our pursuit of Crystal Palace’s Joachim Andersen is also one to watch.
Eddie Howe admitted last weekend that we’ve been forced to “get creative” in order to land our top transfer targets, so this week’s activity may be an example of our summer juggling in order to improve key areas of the squad.
Now Eddie has got most things right so far and I think Barnes is a more consistent and a better fill for the style of play that he wants for Newcastle but I really can’t understand the pursuit of Livramento, just back from a terrible injury and we already have Harrison Ashby as back up to Trippier and he’s looked good pre season, he’s a Scottish u21 international, give him game time and he will do the back up job and progress to first team rather than spend £25m just because he is English when we have other priorities, although perhaps Livramento being signed to play left back in which case that would make a lot more sense.
David Dryburgh(Quote)