Newcastle: £60m star 'now looking to stay' at St James' Park

Newcastle United star Allan Saint-Maximin is ‘looking to stay’ at St James’ Park despite Eddie Howe initially being willing to cash-in on his services, according to journalist Jacque Talbot.

The Magpies may be the richest club in world football following the Saudi Arabia-based Public Investment Fund leading a £305million takeover last October, but there have been question marks as to whether they could look to offload Saint-Maximin.

According to the Daily Mail, Saint-Maximin looks set to remain on Newcastle’s books due to the club realising they will struggle to find a buyer who is willing to meet their £50million asking price.

The report suggests the Magpies’ hierarchy feel the winger will benefit from another year under Howe, who was appointed as their head coach last November, but there are fears that Saint-Maximin will seek better financial terms than he currently boasts.

His current contract, which still has more than four years to run, is worth £93,000-per-week.

Wolverhampton Wanderers and Everton have shown an interest in Saint-Maximin in recent weeks, heightening the possibility that a St James’ Park exit could be on the cards.

Aston Villa are another Premier League rival monitoring developments behind the scenes on Tyneside.

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Talbot understands Saint-Maximin is keen to remain at Newcastle despite the possibility of being able to secure a move away.

However, the journalist believes the Magpies would be keen to do business if one of his suitors come forward with an offer which is higher than their valuation.

Talbot told GIVEMESPORT: “I think at this point, sources have said that Saint-Maximin is going to be looking to stay at Newcastle now.