He too gives in to the Saudi sirens. After final meetings which have taken place in recent days, Allan Saint-Maximim takes the direction of Saudi Arabia, at only 26 years old. The winger leaves Newcastle, who no longer really counted on him after a more complicated last season, to sign in favor of Al-Ahli. He gave his consent and passed his medical examination on Friday with satisfaction. The news was made official just now.
“Allan Saint-Maximin has completed his move to Al-Ahli. Thank you for everything, Allan Saint-Maximin. Good luck in the future” specifies the press release from Newcastle. Saint-Maximin joins in this team some former Ligue 1 players like Édouard Mendy and Ryad Boudebouz, or even former Premier League stars with Roberto Firmino and Riyad Mahrez.
A transfer of €25 million
If the player will undoubtedly receive a salary much higher than what he was already earning in England, Newcastle is also carrying out an excellent financial operation. While Saint-Maximin lost his starting status, the English club managed to sell him for €25m, 4 years after recruiting him from OGC Nice 4 years ago for €18m. Thanks to this transfer, the Magpies have taken action for Harvey Barnes, who arrives from Leicester against around 45 M €.
In full force of age, the native of Châtenay-Malabry joins a championship which remains minor for the moment, and this despite the numerous arrivals of stars of the round ball in recent weeks. Too often irregular since the start of his career, the striker has never managed to get rid of this label, like this last season with the Toons. The stature taken by the English club in recent months has finally got the better of him.