Allan Saint-Maximin's lengthy Instagram post this week suddenly had Newcastle United fans wondering if they had seen the last of him in a black and white shirt.
The Frenchman took to Instagram to talk of a 'turning point' in his career, thanked fans for their continued support and spoke of giving everything 'whatever comes next'. That particular Instagram message came just days after Magpies boss Eddie Howe admitted the winger's future was entirely down to the player himself.
"He has so much ability, and he’s such an important player for us when he’s at his very best, fitness-wise. He’s unique, there’s no one like him in the Premier League," Howe said after the draw with Chelsea.
READ MORE: Newcastle transfer news LIVE: Saint-Maximin 'could push' for Magpies exit
Howe is right, Newcastle have a unique talent at their disposal. When fit and firing, there are few players at the top level who can deliver what Saint-Maximin can. Injuries and a lack of consistency have plagued him in recent months but a bulk of the fanbase want to see him remain to fight for his place on Tyneside.
There is arguably only one upside to shifting Saint-Maximin - the financial aspect. Despite Newcastle's new-found wealth, Howe does not have an endless pot of cash to use in the coming months. The north east outfit remain somewhat financially constricted compared to their Champions League rivals until their commercial revenue increases.
Howe also doesn't have too many sellable assets available to him at present time. For all Bruno Guimaraes, Sven Botman, Alexander Isak and Joe Willock would each, easily, fetch hefty sums if they were sold, there is absolutely no appetite and no plans to let them leave the club any time soon.
Looking around the dressing room at the players who do have uncertain futures, there will be minimal financial return for a solid chunk of potential outgoings in the coming months. The likes of Ryan Fraser, Jeff Hendrick, Isaac Hayden, Javier Manquillo, Jamal Lewis and Karl Darlow are the players most likely to attract suitors between now and August - but deals for all of those combined may not even add up to Saint-Maximin's fee alone.
The former Nice flyer arrived at St James' Park for £16m back in 2018. Newcastle could arguably recoup more than double that figure were they to sell when the window opens. Depending on which section of Newcastle supporters you ask, Saint-Maximin could fetch anywhere between £30m and £50m.
Howe is targeting 'elite' players during the upcoming window but with a budget of around £100m-£150m, he will need to top the tank up with money received from outgoing stars. Will the Newcastle boss consider a Saint-Maximin exit if he knows Newcastle will strengthen significantly in another position? It's a possibility after a rare poor season from the Frenchman.
Opinion remains split down the middle as the Newcastle fanbase debate what promises to be the most intriguing internal transfer saga of the summer. There are many reasons to want Saint-Maximin to stay - and a rather big one to allow him to leave.
