Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has admitted that the club may be forced to sell winger Allan Saint-Maximin due to the pressures of Financial Fair Play (FFP).
The French winger, who is reported to be a £30 million target for Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli, was unavailable for Newcastle's 2-1 pre-season friendly victory at Scottish side Rangers on Tuesday.
And Howe revealed after the game that the player looks set for a move away from the Premier League club.
“He's in early discussions over a potential move away. That's why he wasn't here,” Howe said.
“It's doubtful he'll join us on the tour of America. I don't think Maxi necessarily wants to leave, but he may feel it's the right time for him to move.
“It's difficult for me to speak for him, but he hasn't asked to leave. There's been no issue between him and any of us coaches. We all love him.
“If he does leave, we'd lose him with a very heavy heart. He's someone we love working with, he's a difference-maker, we've really had a strong working relationship, and it'll be sad if he leaves.
“When I spoke to him on Monday, there was actually a lot of emotion between us,” Howe added. “I don't want to speak for Allan but when a player has done very well for you, which Allan has for me, I'm very grateful for every player that commits and gives their all for the team.”
Saint-Maximin joined the Magpies from Ligue 1 side Nice for £16.5 million in 2019 and quickly established himself as a cult figure with fans for his electric pace and dribbling skills.
But the 26-year-old struggled with injuries last campaign and regularly found himself watching from the substitute's bench as Newcastle secured a fourth-place finish and a place in the Champions League for the first time in 20 years.
The Tyneside club have spent more than £300 million since being taken over by a Saudi Arabian-led consortium in October 2021 and now have to consider selling players in order to comply with FFP spending restrictions.
They have already forked out around £60 million to bring in AC Milan and Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali this summer and are also strongly linked with a move for £40 million-rated Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes.
Newcastle 2022/23 season ratings
-
NEWCASTLE UNITED 2022/23 SEASON RATINGS: GOALKEEPER: Nick Pope 9: Enjoyed a superb first season on Tyneside as Newcastle conceded the joint fewest goals in the top flight, along with champions Manchester City. An ever-present in the league, with only David de Gea at Manchester United keeping more clean sheets (17) than Pope's 14. His lone disappointment was missing the League Cup final after being sent-off against Liverpool. AP -
DEFENDERS: Kieran Trippier 9: Captain Trippier is the heartbeat and driving force of Eddie Howe's side. Has bought into the project from the moment he signed from Atletico Madrid in January 2022, his dead-ball skills are a constant threat and his performances earned him a nomination for the Premier League Player of the Year Award. PA -
Sven Botman 9: The ice man at heart of the Newcastle defence, never gets flustered and the classiest centre-half the Magpies have seen since Jonathon Woodgate was in black and white 20 years ago. His form earned a first call-up into the Netherlands senior squad and has been nominated for the Premier League Young Player of the Year Award. Joined last summer and has been one of the league's signings of the season. Reuters -
Fabian Schar 9: Has formed a solid and reliable partnership with Botman in the centre of Newcastle's defence. Out of favour under previous manager Steve Bruce, the Swiss defender is one fo the first names on current manager Eddie Howe's team sheet. Getty -
Jamaal Lascelles 6: Remains a key figure at the club despite very limited game time this season and is handed the captain's armband by Trippier whenever he has appeared as a substitute. Let no one down on the rare occasions he has been called on. Reuters -
Matt Targett 6: Would have expected to be played far more regularly after completing a permanent move from Aston Villa last summer but left-back has been kept out of the team by the form of Dan Burn. Started just one game in 2023. PA -
Dan Burn 8: The giant defender makes for an unlikely left-back but has made the position his own. A local boy playing for his hometown club and clearly living the dream this season. Scored crucial first goal in Newcastle's League Cup quarter-final win against Leicester. Can struggle against pace - given tough times by Manchester United's Antony and West Ham's Jarrod Bowen for example - but never let his head go down. PA -
Javier Manquillo 6: Barely had look-in due the form of Newcastle's regular full-backs but the Spaniard is a useful squad player who play either side of defence. Mostly used as late substitute. Getty -
MIDFIELDERS: Joelinton 9: Continues to be a revelation since moving back from striker to midfield and has become one of the most consistent performers in the top flight. For a player who was so abysmal in front of goal as a striker, the Brazilian powerhouse has even chipped in with eight goals across all competitions this season. Just earned first call-up for his country. Reuters -
Anthony Gordon 6: The jury is still out on the January signing from Everton who has struggled to force his way into a team that was already flying high when he arrived. Manager Howe is convinced he will benefit from a full pre-season with the squad and is expecting big things from the winger, who scored his first goal for club at Chelsea in last game, next term. Getty -
Ryan Fraser 2: A disastrous campaign for the little Scottish winger who played an important role in Newcastle staying up last season. Managed to achieve the seemingly impossible by upsetting Howe, which has meant Fraser trained with the youth team for most of this year and has little or no chance of forcing his way back into favour. EPA -
Jacob Murphy 8: Another player who has blossomed under the coaching of Howe. Previously lacked confidence and composure when it came to final product - particularly in front of goal - but forced his way into Howe's starting line-up, contributing important goals and assists along the way. Getty -
Matt Ritchie 6: Like Lascelles, Ritchie is a stalwart left over the from the previous regimes now limited to late appearances from the bench. Played nearly 200 games for the club and Howe has already stated he would like Ritchie to stay on next season. Getty -
Miguel Almiron 9: Reached double figures for goals in the Premier League for the first time, including a hot streak in the first half of the campaign, scoring seven in as many games. The best of which - a volley against Fulham - will surely go close to winning Premier League's goal of the season award. Getty -
Joe Willock 8: The midfielder started showing the sort of form that could see him winning England caps in future. A tireless runner and key component in the high-pressure game demanded by Howe. If he can rediscover the goals touch that him saw score in seven consecutive games for the Magpies in 2021, a three Lions call-up will be in the post. Getty -
Elliot Anderson 6: Many thought the young Geordie midfielder would play a bigger role than he has after starring while on loan at Bristol Rovers last season. Had to settle for regular appearances off the bench and still awaits his first goal for the club. Getty -
Sean Longstaff 9: Has emerged as one of Howe's most important players with his manager lamenting the Geordie midfielder's absence through injury for a few games late in the season. Relentless running and a dream player for manager and teammates alike, Longstaff has hit new heights this season and credited Howe for saving his Newcastle career. Getty -
Bruno Guimaraes 9: The Brazilian has pulled the strings in midfield and his passing skills are second to none at the club. Struggled with an ankle problem for the last few weeks of the campaign and will welcome summer to recharge his batteries with a Champions League challenge ahead next season. A huge crowd favourite and no surprise to see reports that Real Madrid remain big fans. Getty -
Callum Wilson 9: Finished with his highest top-flight goals tally of 18 from 30 league games, including 11 in his last 12 games. Started and ended the season on fire with his only lull in form and fitness coming on his return from World Cup duty with England in Qatar. Played his most games in a season for Newcastle (35 in all competitions) after two injury-hit campaigns. Reuters -
Chris Wood 6: New Zealand striker chipped in with a couple of goals against Southampton and Leicester before being sent out on loan to Nottingham Forest in January. PA -
MANAGER: Eddie Howe 9: Only defeat in the League Cup final against Machester United - which would have ended the club's 54-year wait for major silverware - prevents top marks. Team were superbly well-drilled defensively. Midfield had an imposing mix of power, pace and passing ability, while three of his attackers reached double figures in goals. Howe's stock continues to rise as his team look forward to Champions League football next season. PA
But before any potential new signings can be made, players will have to be shipped out.
“Maxi is the player that's generating the interest,” said Howe. “FFP is a new dynamic which really came to the fore after my first window here when we knew it would impact us.
“Player trading is a key part of it – you can't hit it, if you don't trade. We're forced to trade a player this window.
“If the deal didn't go through, I'd be delighted. It would obviously impact our ability to bring any more players in, and then we potentially might have to sell another player. That's the way that Financial Fair Play has hit us.”
Tonali, meanwhile, made his first appearance the Magpies in Tuesday's victory in Scotland that saw Miguel Almiron and Harrison Ashby scoring Newcastle's goals that sandwiched a Sam Lammers finish for Rangers.
And his new manager was “very impressed” with the debut of the 23-year-old midfielder. “He brought everything I thought he would bring in that first 45 minutes,” Howe said.
“Calm, composed, technically high level, good relationships with the players around him.
“He looked at home in a black and white shirt so it was a great start for him.”
