Newcastle United selling Everton target Allan Saint-Maximin this summer would be “catastrophic“, former Magpies defender Steve Howey has exclusively told This Is Futbol.
Saint-Maximin is currently being linked with a move to Goodison Park, with the Daily Mirror reporting last month that Rafael Benitez wants to sign the 24-year-old in the event he loses Richarlison to Real Madrid.
Saint-Maximin was one of Newcastle’s most important players last season, providing the second-highest number of Premier League assists (four) in Steve Bruce’s squad.
Can you see Newcastle selling ASM to Everton?
Yes
No
The Frenchman also averaged 3.8 dribbles per game, more than any of his team-mates (via WhoScored), showing the attacking threat he brings to this Newcastle side.
Ultimately, for Howey, allowing Saint-Maximin to leave in this transfer window would be a disaster.
“To let someone like Saint-Maximin go would be catastrophic really for Newcastle,” the ex-Magpies centre-back said.
“He’s the one that’s going to be creating chances for people like Callum Wilson. Yes, it might bring money in, but he’s the type of player that gets fans off their seats. He has that burst of energy; he’s an exciting player.
“If Newcastle let him go, for me, you’re staring down the barrel with regards to relegation.”
Indeed, looking at how Saint-Maximin performed last season, losing him would be a bitter blow. Fortunately for Newcastle, the former Nice man has a contract until 2026, so they are under no immediate pressure to sell.