Report: Newcastle ‘close’ to agreeing personal terms with rapid French winger

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Newcastle United are apparently ‘close’ to agreeing personal terms with Nice winger Allan Saint-Maximin.

That’s from Nice-Matin, who claim that a transfer fee has not been agreed.

Saint-Maximin is undoubtedly one of Ligue 1’s most exciting wingers.

Known for his speed and mazy dribbling, Saint-Maximin contributed to 11 goals last term (six goals, five assists) as Nice secured a place in the Champions League.

The versatile winger – who has seven caps for the French U21s – is capable of playing anywhere up top, and would be a dangerous weapon for Newcastle, who were weak in the wide areas in 2018/19.

TBR’s view

Saint-Maximin would be a fine signing but he would not come cheap – Nice are expected to demand €30 million (£26 million) for the star this summer.

And then of course there is the huge news that Newcastle will bid farewell to manager Rafa Benitez on June 30, which massively complicates any potential transfers at the moment.

Benitez’s departure is awful news for the club, and it will surely mean that more time will be wasted in the transfer market.

It could see players like Saint-Maximin head to other, more stable clubs in Europe.