Journalist Ross Gregory believes Newcastle United winger Allan Saint-Maximin will almost certainly leave the club in the near future following the arrival of Anthony Gordon.
What’s the word?
The French winger hasn’t been at his best for some time now and having been “scapegoated” at times towards the end of last season, he’s carried his poor form deep into the current campaign.
Indeed, manager Eddie Howe doesn’t seem to fully trust the Frenchman and has started him just five times in the Premier League so far.
What’s more, Newcastle opted to spend big in January on another winger with Gordon arriving from Everton for a touted £45m transfer fee.
This may well see Saint-Maximin’s position in the pecking order fall even further, and Gregory seems to think it proves that the club are looking to get rid of the winger.
Speaking on NUFC Matters, he said: “I still don’t see ASM being a long-term option for Newcastle. I don’t think he’s going to be here in the next 12 months. Personally, that’s how I view it.
“I don’t think Eddie Howe, firmly trusts him. I think the fact that he’s brought in Anthony Gordon is another indication of that.
“He’s a fantastic player, really talented, but I just don’t think he suits Newcastle’s setup at the minute.
“I think he wants to stay and he would really like to be that type of player and have a really big role in a team which is clearly gone places. But I just can’t see any way forward other than him ultimately leaving for pastures new.
Writing on the wall?
Saint-Maximin was at least handed the chance to impress with a rare start in the club’s most recent game. However, in that 1-1 draw against West Ham, he hardly took his chance.
For instance, journalist Lee Ryder gave him a 6/10 player rating for ChroniceLive and noted that he had a “disappointing night” managing to have just one shot at goal which was blocked.
In that same game, Gordon came off the bench for Saint-Maximin in the 69th minute to make his debut. Tellingly, Ryder was much more positive about the new man giving him an 8/10 for his eye-catching cameo.
The journalist said: “Made a big difference. If this is a taste of what’s to come, the future is exciting.”
While it might be exciting for Newcastle fans and their new signing, it may be damming for Saint-Maximin. Indeed, that could well mean the writing is on the wall for the 25-year-old who might struggle to get many more opportunities to prove himself to Howe.