Allan Saint-Maximin has Newcastle demand amid £50m Aston Villa transfer interest

Allan Saint-Maximin has emerged as a shock transfer target for Aston Villa, according to reports.

The Newcastle United winger could leave St James' Park this summer if a big-money bid is made. Eddie Howe is keen on adding to his group this summer and could raise funds through players sales, as per the Daily Mail's report.

They claim Newcastle are 'ready to sell' Saint-Maximin with Villa named as potential suitors. Villa have splashed out £350million on transfer fees alone since gaining promotion back the Premier League in 2019, but are likely to have other priorities this summer, with the likes of Kalvin Phillips and Yves Bissouma high on Steven Gerrard's wish list to add more midfield depth.

Though, while Newcastle will reportedly consider bids for Saint-Maximin, the Frenchman could be looking for a new club himself. The Daily Mail claim he is 'understood to have wanted improved terms to reflect his importance to the team this season', having contributed to the club's course to top-flight safety.

Villa are positioned well to build this summer, with a healthy transfer budget promised to Gerrard and money set to come into the club through player sales. With the likes of Keinan Davis, Frederic Guilbert, Anwar El Ghazi, Trezeguet, Matt Targett and potentially others likely to leave Villa Park, there will be money to spend.

Villa signed Philippe Coutinho (loan) and Lucas Digne (£25million) in January to flex their financial muscle and prove their ambitions to crack the league's European places next season. And links to Phillips, Bissouma and Saint-Maximin will excite supporters ahead of an important 2022/23 Premier League campaign.