Report: Rafa Benitez wants £60m star from PL rival if £90k-a-week player leaves Everton this summer

Add as preferred source on Google

Rafa Benitez could look to sign Allan Saint-Maximin from former club Newcastle should Everton lose Richarlison this summer, according to a report from the Daily Mirror.

Richarlison could well be on the move in this window. It was reported that he took Carlo Ancelotti’s exit badly.

Ancelotti has reportedly since been in initial contract with the Brazilian. And he is now weighing up trying to bring him to Real Madrid.

It remains to be seen if the Toffees’ resolve to keep the £90,000-a-week star is tested. But Everton have potential replacements in mind.

According to the Daily Mirror, Benitez wants Saint-Maximin. It is noted that the Spaniard was apparently against the forward joining the Magpies. Ultimately, the Frenchman signed for his successor Steve Bruce.

Unsurprisingly, the Daily Mirror reports that Newcastle would want a huge fee for the 24-year-old. His contract expires in 2026. So Everton would have to part with £60 million.

Signing Saint-Maximin would be a real statement from new Everton boss Rafa Benitez

Benitez still has a lot of Everton supporters to win over. But signing Saint-Maximin would likely improve the mood around Goodison Park.

Admittedly, it will seemingly only stand a chance of happening if Richarlison leaves. And many Toffees fans clearly stated that they wanted the 24-year-old to stay when the links with Ancelotti emerged recently.

But Saint-Maximin is one of the most exciting talents playing for a club outside of the current heavyweights.

The former Nice man’s return from injury was pivotal in keeping Newcastle up last season. His pace is impossible for most defenders to contain.

He can also play anywhere across the forward line.

It would be a big blow to lose Richarlison. But signing Saint-Maximin as his replacement would be a major statement of intent.