Sky Sports pundit Darren Bent has urged Everton to sign rumoured target Allan Saint-Maximin, despite knowing Newcastle United would fight tooth and nail to retain the Frenchman’s services.
Saint-Maximin moved to St. James’ Park last summer from Ligue 1 side OGC Nice in a £16.5million deal, which could rise to £20m if all potential add-ons are fulfilled.
The former U21 international has been one of the standout stars of the Toon’s season with Steve Bruce’s side severely lacking when Saint-Maximin is not on the field, as the 23-year-old offers the Magpies a blistering winger more capable of causing problems than any other at St. James’ Park.
His efforts have naturally caught the attention of a range of Premier League sides, with Wolverhampton Wanderers said to be monitoring his situation on Tyneside in case they lose Adama Traore in the summer.
Crystal Palace have also been linked to Saint-Maximin in case they sell former Toffees target Wilfried Zaha, while the Toffees now see the £40,000-per-week Toon sensation as a more appealing target.
Saint-Maximin has been suggested to be worth up to £30m if any club were to test Newcastle’s resolve, and Bent is adamant the 5 ft 8 forward would prove to be a worthwhile capture for Carlo Ancelotti.
“That would be a good signing,” Bent told Football Insider. “He’s shown right now what a player he is, a great goal at the weekend against Southampton.
Would you sign ASM in the summer?
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No
“He’s one of those that can carry the ball from point A to point B – I can’t see Newcastle just letting him go that easy. Him and [Miguel] Almiron are vital to what Newcastle do.”
Saint-Maximin has been an unbelievable addition to the Toon’s offence since he joined Newcastle last summer, and particularly caused Arsenal issues with a near-on Man of the Match display when the two sides met last month.
He was a joy to watch on the left-channel at the Emirates Stadium and was unfortunate not to leave north London with a goal to show for his efforts, after his curling strike from outside the box struck the post.
Goals have, in truth, been hard for Saint-Maximin to come by with the Frenchman only scoring twice all league season, though could have been boasting a higher haul after 18 outings had he not spurned three big chances.
Saint-Maximin has only averaged 1.2 shots per top-flight game, too, while Sofa Score data shows him as having recorded 35.2 touches, 1.3 key balls – to create five big chances, one converted – played 11.7 accurate passes (77%) and delivered 0.3 accurate crosses (18%).
Where Saint-Maximin shines most, though, is when he has the ball at his feet and is taking players on, having made the fourth-most successful dribbles (80) of all Premier League players in 2019/20.
In other Everton news, fans do not want the club to land a potential summer signing who is open to joining Ancelotti at Goodison Park.