Allan Saint-Maximin confirms Newcastle departure before expected Saud Arabia move

1 year ago 19

French winger Allan Saint-Maximin has confirmed helium is leaving Newcastle United, saying his "greatest trophy" was playing for the club.

Saint-Maximin, 26, is expected to articulation Al-Ahli successful the Saudi Pro League, tally by the country's Public Investment Fund (PIF) - which besides owns Newcastle.

He scored 13 goals successful 124 games aft joining successful August 2019 from Nice.

"Even though this section has ended, the communicative ne'er stops. Newcastle is location now," helium said.

"I'll proceed to beryllium your biggest supporter."

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Newcastle finished 4th past play and volition instrumentality to the Champions League for the archetypal clip successful 20 years.

They person been transformed since manager Eddie Howe took complaint of the club, a period aft the PIF takeover successful October 2021.

In an affectional societal media post, Saint-Maximin wrote: "I fell for Newcastle, I had large opportunities to permission during acheronian days, but that was excessively precocious I was already successful love, I wanted, I needed, I had to enactment for helping my squad to prevention the nine from Premier League relegation due to the fact that it meant the satellite for me.

"Of people during those acheronian days immoderate whitethorn person had their doubts, but I ever believed successful this nine and look wherever we are today, it's conscionable truthful beautiful. I'm leaving Newcastle arsenic it should ever person been and that's my top trophy due to the fact that I was a portion of it."

Newcastle sporting manager Dan Ashworth said past twelvemonth that the nine indispensable beryllium unfastened to selling players successful bid to comply with spending restrictions.

This summer, Howe has been capable to bring successful Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali from AC Milan for £55m and England winger Harvey Barnes from Leicester for £38m.

Reports person claimed rival Premier League clubs are acrophobic that Saint-Maximin's transportation interest could beryllium inflated, which would assistance Newcastle comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.

But Howe has said the anticipated transportation to Saudi "will fulfill the Premier League", portion the league's main enforcement Richard Masters accidental its rules are "robust".