Newcastle United Opinion: Why the Magpies should sign Allan Saint-Maximin

According to Nice-Matin, Newcastle United, Crystal Palace and Everton are interested in signing OGC Nice winger Allan Saint-Maximin this summer. (h/t France Football)

Allan Saint-Maximin, 22, has been on the books of Nice since the summer of 2017 when he joined from AS Monaco. The Frenchman scored six goals and provided three assists in 34 Ligue 1 appearances for Patrick Vieira’s side, thereby catching the attention of some Premier League clubs.

The 22-year-old forward certainly is at the right age to move into a bigger club over the summer and that being said, Newcastle United should beat their Premier League rivals to the winger’s signature.

The Magpies achieved safety this past season in the Premier League by hook or crook. Massive credit to Rafael Benitez, though, due to the manner in which he turned the tables around after such a poor start to the season.

But, the Spanish tactician will need to splash the cash again in the transfer window in order to make Newcastle capable of breaking into the top half of the table next season. Scoring goals were one of the Toon Army’s issues in the 2018/19 season, with Salomon Rondon and Ayoze Perez being the only chief supplier of goals. The likes of Joselu, Yoshinori Muto, Kenedy and Christian Atsu simply failed to deliver the goods.

What Newcastle need in the summer is a player with the X-factor of winning games by holding the scruff of its neck. And someone like Allan Saint-Maximin would fit the bill perfectly at the St. James’ Park.

Saint-Maximin has the versatility to play in multiple positions across the frontline. His biggest asset is his explosive pace and dribbling skills, with which he can rip apart the best of defences in Europe. The 22-year-old is a winger by trade, but he is equally capable of influencing the game through the middle.

He also has an eye for a killer pass in the final third and works tirelessly off the ball which should make him a top fit under Benitez. The Frenchman has exceptional close control and good body balance, while his ability to dribble at pace and unpredictable movement makes him a dangerous presence down the wide areas.

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The jet-heeled winger not only can create goals for his teammates, but he is equally adept at running behind the opposition’s backline to capitalise on the through balls. However, Saint-Maximin’s end product can be frustrating at times but under Benitez, he can definitely improve and take his game to the next level.

Verdict

Saint-Maximin is still raw and at 22, he has a long way to go. No doubt recruiting the French speed bullet could be a shrewd move for the Magpies, as he will be a top fit for Benitez’s style of play at St. James’ Park.