Exit the entertainer? Allan Saint-Maximin was the crowd-pleasing anomaly in a bleak time for Newcastle United. Such excitement as they offered in the unlamented era under Steve Bruce, of largely dull and defensive football, came from the charismatic Frenchman and his mesmeric solo runs.
Now, at a time when Newcastle supporters have started singing about going to Barcelona and Bayern Munich, Saint-Maximin seemingly will not be. He was omitted from the pre-season friendly against Rangers and, coach Eddie Howe said, is unlikely to join them on their pre-season tour of the United States. Saudi Arabia apparently beckons for the man who looked the prized asset when Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) bought 80 per cent of Newcastle.
