Report: Newcastle ‘close’ to signing Allan Saint-Maximin for cheaper price

Add as preferred source on Google

The Daily Mirror have claimed that Newcastle United are ‘close’ to signing OGC Nice attacker Allan Saint-Maximin for a fee cheaper than originally believed.

It had been widely reported that the 22-year-old Frenchman was set to join Newcastle for a fee believed to be in the region of £20million, with Patrick Vieira’s side looking to bring in as much cash as possible.

However, it has now been claimed that The Toon are inches away from landing the France Under-21 international for a fee of £17million, £3million cheaper than it was first claimed in the media.

Newcastle need a new winger after losing Ayoze Perez this summer, who joined Leicester City for a fee of £30million, after Brendan Rodgers’ side activated the release clause in the Spaniard’s contract.

The Toon are yet to replace Perez, but have brought in Joelinton to cover the loss of Salomon Rondon. With Maximing replacing Perez, Newcastle still need a left-back, a striker and a couple of central midfielders.

TBR’s view – £17m is a Newcastle bargain for Saint-Maximin

Even at £20million, signing one of Ligue 1’s best wingers who is still only 22 years of age for just £20million was considered on the cheap side. Now, at just £17million, he is certainly a bargain.

Explosive speed, raw talent combined with some excellent tricks and an eye for goal, Maximin has all it takes to acclimatise to the Premier League in the blink of an eye and shine under Steve Bruce.

Landing him for such a small figure makes the move slightly less risky.