Newcastle United have made a second bid worth up to £16.2million for Nice winger Allan Saint-Maximin, according to RMC Sport.
The French outlet claim that the Magpies have yet to hear from the French club after their first bid of £14.4million was rejected days before.
RMC Sport revealed on their live transfer blog (26/07 6:14 pm) that Nice could make Newcastle pay up to £18million for the 22-year-old as they wrote: “The Magpies are thoroughly on the Nice striker. After making a first proposal of 16 million euros at the Gym, Newcastle has just made a second offer of 18 million. The Riviera leadership has not yet responded but she wants to recover 20 million on this transfer.”
The Chronicle journalist Lee Ryder revealed on his personal Twitter account on Wednesday, that a £20million deal is there should Newcastle decide to complete a deal for the skilful winger.
Saint-Maximin was a mainstay in Ligue 1 under Patrick Vieira, making 34 league appearances in which in scored six and assisted a further three goals.
OPINION
Newcastle are clearly interested in Saint-Maximin, with the North-East club slowly but surely creeping towards the reported £20million asking price set by Nice. Steve Bruce has no time to be trying to deliver the best deal – especially for the sake of such a small amount of only £2million. The 22-year-old has the style that would get fans more excited to watch their team every week, with the Frenchman holding great pace and the skill and flair to match it whilst in possession. Despite only being involved in nine goals – something that will need to improve should Newcastle complete a deal, Saint-Maximin definitely has the ability to change that. The young winger averaged 2.2 shots per game, 1.7 key passes, alongside 4.2 dribbles in each outing [Source: WhoScored], stats that prove he deserves more goals and assists, something that could certainly happen at St James’ Park. The French flyer would no doubt bring a new dimension in the final third for Newcastle, with Bruce clearly desperate to add Saint-Maximin to his side for next season.
