Collymore thinks Newcastle could start 26-year-old with Barnes in attack next season

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Harvey Barnes or Allan Saint-Maximin. It sounds like it is going to be one or the other at Newcastle United next season.

Talk of ASM leaving has intensified over the past week, and it has coincided with the Magpies’ attempt to bring Barnes to Tyneside.

The Leicester City winger is keen on a move up north, while Eddie Howe wants him to be part of his squad for next season.

Hopefully a deal with the Foxes can be agreed, but any move will raise questions about Saint-Maximin‘s future at St James’ Park.

It has been claimed that Newcastle could sell the Frenchman to fund a deal for Barnes, while he has the option to join a club in Saudi Arabia like so many other major names have this summer.

However, pundit Stan Collymore does not necessarily think that signing Barnes means that it is the end for Saint-Maximin at Newcastle.

Collymore thinks Saint-Maximin could stay even if Harvey Barnes signs

In his latest column for Caught Offside, Collymore has discussed Newcastle’s interest in Barnes and what it could mean for Saint-Maximin.

“I certainly don’t think Barnes’ impending arrival automatically means Allan Saint-Maximin has to leave,” he wrote.

“Howe will probably be thinking about the flexibility he could add to his attacking system.

“Some may say Barnes would be in direct competition with Saint-Maximin to play on the left wing, but I don’t see why they both couldn’t play together on occasion. The same for Gordon.

“Years ago, wingers used to rotate with each other on the flanks, and although you do still see that from time to time, it’s nowhere near as frequently practised as it once was, so I wonder if Howe might experiment with his wingers next season because the prospect of having a fluid setup which would allow Barnes and Saint-Maximin to play free-flowing attacking football would certainly frighten defences.”

That is what most Newcastle fans want

This is exactly what would happen in an ideal world.

Barnes would be a great signing. He is a proven goal threat in the Premier League and would enhance our attacking options.

But Saint-Maximin still has a role to play. He is completely different to any other player at Newcastle, and can be a real weapon when he is on form.

Most fans want the 26-year-old to stay at St James’ Park, and Collymore believes he could actually play alongside Barnes. That is an enticing possibility.

The one thing you can say about Newcastle’s wingers is that they are flexible. Saint-Maximin can play on both sides, as can Anthony Gordon. Looking back at Miguel Almiron’s Toon career, he was best used on the left before eventually thriving on the opposite flank last season.

Barnes normally plays on the left, but that does not mean it should be the end for Saint-Maximin. Newcastle need depth and different options. Barnes should add to what we have already got, rather than replace Maxi.

Any combination of the four wingers mentioned above would ‘frighten defences’ as Collymore says, and that is why Howe should look to play Barnes alongside Saint-Maximin, rather than replace him.