Pundit Paddy Kenny has been reacting to an update regarding Newcastle United forward Allan Saint-Maximin, Football Insider report.
The Lowdown: Summer exit?
Saint-Maximin has been a regular for the Magpies this season, making 30 appearances in all competitions.
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The 25-year-old has been deployed as a left-winger under Eddie Howe and has contributed to eight Premier League goals.
However, according to The Daily Mail, his days at St. James’ Park could be numbered. They believe that Newcastle are ready to sell the French forward over the coming months and would accept a bid in the region of £50m.
The Latest: Kenny reacts
Talking to FI following the update on Saint-Maximin, Kenny labelled £50m as ‘crazy money’ and admitted he’d be ‘surprised’ if the Magpies didn’t accept an offer in that region, should one arrive.
“£50million, that’s crazy money.
“For a man who has scored five goals this season? For an attacking player, it’s not good numbers.
“I know Newcastle don’t need to £50million but if that offer was on the table, they would take it.
“You can invest that in a player who will provide more goals and assists.
“I would be surprised if Newcastle didn’t accept an offer like that.
“There are quality players out there who you could get for £50million who will get you more goals than that.
“I know he’s good to watch but you need results in this business and that is a lot of money to turn down.”
The Verdict: Keep?
A £50m move away would make him Newcastle’s most expensive departure of all time, surpassing the £36.9m fee Liverpool paid for Andy Carroll.
However, Saint-Maximin appears to be a key player for the Magpies, with Howe admitting in the week that he has a ‘great relationship’ with the attacker, adding that he ‘has a long-term future at the club’.
The 25-year-old appears to be at the peak of his powers with a career-high Transfermarkt valuation of £28.8m, so the best of Saint-Maximin could yet be to come, possibly making him a key player to build a team around in an attacking sense.
In other news: ‘At the moment’ – Transfer insider says NUFC ace will only be a ‘rotation’ player next season.