Mike Ashley will sell Allan Saint-Maximin this summer if he wants to, warns former Newcastle United defender Steve Howey.
Saint-Maximin was one of Newcastle’s top performers during the 2020/21 season. According to WhoScored, he completed the most dribbles (3.8) and won the most fouls (1.8) per league game in Steve Bruce’s squad.
The 24-year-old has been linked with a move away from St. James’ Park but, based on the above and much more, his manager will not want to lose him.
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For Howey, though, that does not matter, with the retired centre-back fearing Ashley will not hesitate to sell one of the team’s key players even if it completely disrupts Bruce’s plans.
“He’s one of his star players,” the ex-Newcastle man said to TIF. “But, ultimately, Mike Ashley owns the club – that’s his club. He oversees the manager and if he wants him to sell, then he sells, simple as that.”
Saint-Maximin has a long-term contract at the club, signing a new deal last year that runs all the way into 2026. So if Ashley does decide to sell, Newcastle should be getting a very good fee for the player.
If it is reinvested back into the squad and the Frenchman does want to leave, then it may not be the end of the world. But under this current regime, that if is a very, very big one.