PIF heading for major NUFC disasterclass over £50m "jewel" who "makes things happen" - opinion

A big update has emerged on Newcastle United and their plans for Allan Saint-Maximin… 

According to The Daily Mail, the Magpies are prepared to cash in on the Frenchman at the end of the season to increase the transfer pot that Eddie Howe is able to utilise.

The report claims that PIF will be willing to sell him in the summer if a club matches their £50m valuation of the former Nice man.

Fellow Premier League side Aston Villa are one of the sides eyeing up a potential swoop for the mercurial winger, who is said to be one of ten players the Toon want to let go ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

PIF are now heading for a major Newcastle disaster-class over Saint-Maximin and must nip this idea in the bud before it comes to fruition.

Unless a ridiculous transfer offer – Jack Grealish’s £100m move to Manchester City for example – comes in, then they must keep hold of him. He is crucial to Howe’s attacking set-up and selling him this summer would be a huge error by the club.

The idea of selling him for £50m and replacing him with two or three new additions is all well and good in theory but Magpies fans know more than most that not every transfer works out, particularly when it comes to attackers.

Newcastle reportedly paid £40m for Joelinton and £20m for Miguel Almiron – both record deals at the time – and they have scored two goals in 49 appearances between them in the Premier League this season.

Therefore, the club spent £10m more than they want for Saint-Maximin on two players who are three goals behind him combined. The French winger has produced five strikes and three assists in the top-flight, whilst averaging an impressive SofaScore rating of 6.94.

Toon icon David Ginola recently dubbed him the club’s “jewel” and Danny