Arsenal could sign Allan Saint-Maximin for a cut-price deal if Mikel Arteta offers Bernd Leno in a part exchange transfer. It could be a deal that would benefit all parties involved.
According to the Daily Mail, Newcastle could sell Saint-Maximin if they receive a bid of £50m for the winger. Aston Villa are reportedly monitoring the situation, but it is a transfer that Arsenal should keep a close eye on.
According to 90min, Newcastle were interested in striking a deal that would have seen Arsenal goalkeeper Leno head to St James’ Park in the final days of the January transfer window, and it is a deal that Arteta should look to exploit to bring in Saint-Maximin.
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The departure of Leno is almost certain at the end of the season. The German international has previously publicly spoken out about his displeasure of being left out of the starting eleven at the beginning of the season.
"There was no clear reason why I was out, but it had nothing to do with my performance. He [Arteta] is the trainer, he decides. Of course, it’s difficult for me," Leno told SportBild via Sport Witness.
With Arsenal looking certain to sell him, Edu should look to offload him to Newcastle in order for Saint-Maximin to join Arsenal to add to the depth in the wing and forward positions. Nicolas Pepe’s future is in the air, and the Newcastle would be more than a capable replacement.
The north London side needs to make the decision whether to keep or sell Pepe at the end of the season, as he enters the territory of having less than three years left on his contract.
Keeping him beyond two years remaining on his contract will massively debunk his value and increase the threat of losing him on a free transfer which would be an absolute nightmare considering his £72m price tag.
The Ivorian joined the club in 2019 for a club-record fee of £72m from Lille with the highest of expectations due to his success in Ligue 1, but has only contributed with 27 goals and 17 assists.
If the Gunners were to sell Pepe at the end of the season, then competition alongside Saka would certainly be needed. Despite the excellent performances the Englishman has shown for Arsenal throughout the season, there have been times when he has shown signs of burnout, and it having someone who can help successfully share the attacking load would certainly be beneficial.
Saint-Maximin is the most exciting player in the Premier League when in possession of the ball, and causes havoc for opposition defences. Having him as an option in the starting XI or even on the bench would come as a major benefit for Arteta’s side.
The French attacker is criticised for his consistency, but the pressure on him won’t be as high as it is in Newcastle, meaning he can showcase his talents without the team dependence solely on him.
Selling Leno to Newcastle could certainly help lower his price. It is certainly a deal that Edu should look to explore.
