Former Geordie Shore star Greg Lake slammed OGC Nice winger Allan Saint-Maximin amid speculation that Newcastle United may sign him.
L’Equipe previously reported earlier in July that the Magpies were desperate to get a deal over the line for the 22-year-old this summer, while Chronicle journalist Lee Ryder shared that a £20million deal was possible for Newcastle if they wanted it.
Saint-Maximin then fuelled speculation linking him with a move to the North East as he liked several Newcastle-related pictures via his personal Instagram account. (Source: NUFC 360)
Upon seeing Maximin suggested as the Magpies’ next signing of summer, Lake implied he didn’t want Steve Bruce’s side to sign him as he branded him a busy fool with no end product.
“He’s a busy fool this guy, never produces end product,” wrote Lake via his verified Twitter account.
OPINION
It seems Lake, who found fame on reality television, does not want Saint-Maximin to arrive at St James Park in the next few weeks, and it’s understandable why. The 22-year-old may have found the net five times in his 2018/19 campaign across his 36 outings, but you feel a potential £20million attacker should be scoring more than that. Saint-Maximin only averaged a goal every 485 minutes, as per the BBC, which is notably worse than former Magpies attacker Joselu, who was recently shown the exit, last season as the Spaniard averaged a goal 296 minutes (Source: BBC). Also rather worryingly, defensive-minded midfielder Sean Longstaff averaged a goal every 489 minutes last season, and that’s awfully close to Saint-Maximin’s ratio and he’s meant to be an attacking threat. Saint-Maximin clearly got himself in enough promising positions to score more as well, as he fired 53 shots a goal last season, yet it’s rather telling that only 36% hit the target. So when you consider that, then maybe Lake is right to have his doubts about the Magpies considering signing the 22-year-old.
