Newcastle United journalist Lee Ryder has given his thoughts on the future of Allan Saint-Maximin at the club.
There has been some suggestion that the 24-year-old could be on his way out of the club this summer, with a report in The Mirror claiming that former Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez was taking a look at him to make the move to Everton.
And having stated in an interview last year that “for my part, everything will depend on this development. If the club is developing well and it’s in line with my desires, staying is a possibility. Afterwards, if things don’t turn out like that, obviously the question of leaving will arise”, for Newcastle to have flirted with relegation last season doesn’t suggest that there’s been much in the way of development at St. James’ Park that would keep him happy.
However, speaking about the Frenchman during a video on Facebook Live, Ryder seemed to suggest that his future at the club at the moment was pretty much secure, and that it would take a rather substantial bid for Newcastle United to even consider letting him go anytime soon:
“We know the situation with Saint-Maximin, there’s been no bids, the player wants to stay, and that’s the end of it, and he’ll probably start the season with Newcastle United.
“I mean, you can never say never, however, it would take an astronomical bid, and I don’t know if there’s a team out there that are going to slap in a £60m, £70m, £80m bid for his services. So that’s the reality with Saint-Maximin, and I think he will be here unless something absolutely dramatic happens.”
TIF Thoughts on Lee Ryder’s comments about Allan Saint-Maximin…
Is Saint-Maximin worth £60 million?
Yes!
No!
Despite Ryder’s confidence, the chances a bid even as high as £60m is ever going to come along look pretty slim, because with just seven goals and 11 assists in his two seasons in the Premier League, this doesn’t exactly scream that he would be a player worth £60m-£80m, as he suggests.
The focus for the club and Saint-Maximin should really be on trying to make him a better player that can be useful to Newcastle United on the pitch rather than with his bank balance, or by adding players around him that can make the team better. That way, they won’t have to worry about him trying to leave the club so soon in the way that he has previously suggested.
In other news: ‘As things stand’ – Journalist drops Freddie Woodman transfer claim at Newcastle