Allan Saint-Maximin might stay put at OGC Nice despite interest from Newcastle United, according to Dharmesh Sheth.
The Sky Sports journalist claimed today [Tuesday] that the Magpies have made multiple bids to sign the 22-year-old.
It is also understood that Watford’s interest in the Frenchman has cooled, but Newcastle may still have been handed a blow in their hunt to sign Saint-Maximin as he was named in Nice’s starting line-up for their pre-season friendly against Burnley on Tuesday.
“Nice are playing tonight against Burnley and in their line-up is Allan Saint-Maximin,” Sheth said on Sky Sports News on Tuesday night [07:12pm].
“We’ve been speaking about him quite a lot in this transfer window. Watford were interested but they seem to have turned their attentions to the Rennes winger Ismaila Sarr.
“Newcastle were very, very interested. There have been a couple of bids from Newcastle for him.
“But he does start for Nice today.
“I just wonder if that’s a signal that he’s staying at Nice.”
OPINION
It could mean nothing, but it could mean everything. Saint-Maximin’s inclusion in the Nice starting line-up to play against Burnley shows that the French club are willing to keep hold of the 22-year-old attacker if they have to and are ensuring that he stays a part of their pre-season plans so long as he is their player still. Nice could also be using their pre-season trip to the United Kingdom to dangle Saint-Maximin in front of the Magpies and show them either what he can do, or that they are prepared to keep rejecting bids until something acceptable is offered. Saint-Maximin should be a good signing for Newcastle United if they can get a deal wrapped up this summer. The former Saint-Etienne ace can play on either wing or up front as a striker, and those are areas that Steve Bruce needs to bolster before the transfer window slams shut next week.
