Report: Aston Villa in pursuit of Allan Saint-Maximin, Newcastle ready to sell
Aston Villa are “monitoring developments” in their pursuit of Newcastle United forward Allan Saint-Maximin, according to the Daily Mail.
The newspaper reports that the Magpies are ready to sell the 25-year-old in the summer transfer window even though he’s a huge fan favourite in the North-East.
It is understood that the Saudi-backed Tyneside club want £50million for Saint-Maximin and they’ll use those funds to bolster Eddie Howe’s transfer budget.
The Daily Mail claims that Aston Villa are among the clubs interested in the former OGC Nice attacker.
Big upgrade?
Aston Villa’s moves for Emiliano Buendia and Leon Bailey last summer haven’t exactly worked out the way the club will have wanted them.
Bailey was untried and untested in the Premier League while Buendia’s top-flight experience in English football never went higher than him being in a relegation battle.
With Saint-Maximin, he’s been a big fish in a small pond for a few years at St James’ Park and he could be a real star for Aston Villa if they were able to sign him in the summer.
Yes, £50million is a lot. But that £50million would get the Villans an attacker who’s fast, skilful, exciting, hard-working and has the ability to provide and score goals.
In 28 appearances in all competitions this season, Saint-Maximin has scored five goals and supplied three assists.
He’s been in and out of Howe’s side lately due to an injury but we’ve all seen what the ex-France Under-21 international is capable of doing in the Premier League.
If Newcastle sell him, he’d be a great addition for Steven Gerrard.
In other Aston Villa news, Paul Merson says Ollie Watkins will be on a high after his goal for England.