Ex-Newcastle United star Allan Saint-Maximin’s brief return to European football is over for now.
Saint-Maximin was a light in dark times for Newcastle United, helping keep the team in the Premier League during a bleak period for the club.
The Frenchman, along with Callum Wilson, stood out during the Steve Bruce years and kept the club in a position where PIF would want to take them over in the first place.
Like all good things, however, his time at St James’ Park came to an end. In 2023, Saint-Maximin left Newcastle for Al Ahli, making way for Harvey Barnes to arrive on Tyneside.
Last summer, however, Saint-Maximin linked up with a certain Jose Mourinho on a season-long loan at Turkish giants Fenerbahce.
The two endured a mixed relationship. Under Mourinho’s watch, the 28-year-old played in 31 games across all competitions, scoring four goals while registering five assists.
However, the two fell out earlier this season and Saint-Maximin has now posted a message ahead of his loan return to Saudi Arabia.
Allan Saint-Maximin sends message to Fenerbahce fans
Earlier this season, Mourinho suggested the winger was “overweight” after dropping him from the squad ahead of a Europa League trip to Rangers.
Mourinho criticised Saint-Maximin after the player himself aimed a dig on social media.
“I’m not bad in that regard either. When a football player works well, works hard, trains every day, he is fit and can climb the stairs. He doesn’t need an elevator.
“However, if a player doesn’t train well, arrives late, is overweight, is not ready to play, he needs an elevator to go up. Because he gets tired quickly on the stairs.”
Napoli tried to sign Saint-Maximin in January, but he remained in Turkey. On Sunday, the player took to social media to bid farewell.
It was a long message, best summed up by: “Fener will always have a special place in my heart, thank you to everyone and wish you the best.”
How much did Newcastle United get for Allan Saint-Maximin?
Until the departures of Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh last summer, Saint-Maximin and Chris Wood were the only major players Newcastle managed to sell during the PIF era.
Newcastle sold Saint-Maximin for around £23million in 2023 which, frankly, felt cheap.
While not always the most consistent player, he had just helped Newcastle qualify for the Champions League while reaching the Carabao Cup final.
Still, Saint-Maximin had to leave when he did. Though deserving of his popularity, Newcastle moved on from needing mavericks in their team rather quickly.
They are a much better-functioning unit now as a result.
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