Newcastle United

Newcastle United

Premier League • England

Newcastle ‘expected’ to sanction unthinkable sale with Prem attacker on three-man replacement list

West Ham attacker Jarrod Bowen tussling with Brighton forward Leandro Trossard

Newcastle will sell Allan Saint-Maximin this summer, and a Brighton attacker is the highest profile name on a three-man list of replacements, per a report.

Even after Newcastle splashed out around £90m in January, Saint-Maximin remains the player to watch at St. James’ Park. The Frenchman is borderline unplayable at times and regularly has the Magpies faithful out of their seats.

Saint-Maximin is one of a select few that has the ability to survive what is likely to be significant Newcastle spending in the coming years.

While the lesser elements of Newcastle’s squad are likely to be sacrificed, Saint-Maximin has more than enough talent to compete with the new arrivals.

However, that has not stopped talk of a surprise summer exit from growing.

Indeed, the Daily Mail reported in early April that Newcastle are ‘willing to listen’ to offers for the 25-year-old. Aston Villa, Everton and Wolves have all since been linked with a £50m move.

Newcastle’s reasoning was hinted at by the Telegraph in March. The Magpies hierarchy will reportedly adopt a pragmatic approach to the transfer market. As such, huge spends might only be sanctioned if aided by player sales first.

Saint-Maximin would add a huge sum to their spending power and a new report from the Mail states the winger is ‘expected to be sold this summer’.

His attacking output will need to be replaced and the report names three players currently on the club’s radar.

Saint-Maximin replacements named

Firstly, Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson and Bayer Leverkusen’s Moussa Diaby are named. However, competition for that pair is expected to be ‘fierce’.

Instead, the highest profile and most proven option could come in the form of Brighton’s Leandro Trossard.

The attacker, 27, has become a regular in Belgian national squads since moving to Brighton in 2019.

Trossard has as many league goals as Saint Maximin this season (five), and his contract status suggests a deal won’t be a bank-breaker.

Saint-Maximin wants more money from Newcastle

Saint-Maximin wants more money from Newcastle

Allan Saint-Maximin wants a new Newcastle deal with bigger wages as 2 Premier League clubs interested in the winger

Indeed, his current deal on the south coast expires in 2023. As such, this summer could be the perfect time for Brighton to cash in. What’s more, the article claims he is ‘looking to move on’ at season’s end.

Fellow Brighton star Yves Bissouma is also admired by Newcastle chiefs. However, off-field circumstances could add an extra layer of difficulty to the moves.

The report notes relations between the two clubs are frosty at present. That stems from Newcastle poaching sporting director Dan Ashworth in February.

As a result, Brighton are still holding out for £5m in compensation. That particular wrangle could ensure Ashworth does not officially begin his Newcastle duties until November.