Luke Edwards confirms Newcastle star has wanted to leave for a while

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This feels like a big week for Newcastle United in the transfer market.

While Eddie Howe has admitted to feeling some frustration that the club haven’t been able to add to the signing of Sandro Tonali, things look to be happening.

Indeed, Allan Saint-Maximin missed the pre-season win over Rangers at Ibrox on Tuesday and Howe has now admitted the Frenchman could leave Newcastle for Saudi Arabia.

In turn, that seemingly likely departure could open the door to bring Harvey Barnes to the club.

As seemingly necessary as it is given the FFP concerns this summer, Saint-Maximin’s exit will likely be an emotional one.

The shining light during a bleak era for Newcastle, the winger looks like leaving us with some fantastic memories.

Still, that’s not to say he’s being sold against his will.

Luke Edwards says Allan Saint-Maximin has wanted to leave Newcastle for a while

Indeed, taking to Twitter, The Daily Telegraph’s Luke Edwards has shared some insight.

He’s claimed that Saint-Maximin has wanted to leave for a while.

Edwards wrote: “As reported last week it is indeed a club in Saudi Arabia that Saint-Maximin is talking to. He wants to leave and, to be honest, has done for a while It’s pretty much a done deal.”

Hard to blame Saint-Maximin for wanting to leave

Though Howe has stressed he would want to keep the 26-year-old in an ideal world, it’s easy to see why Saint-Maximin would want to go.

Arguably the one big name player at the club who has not benefited from Howe’s appointment, the former Nice winger does not look to be in the manager’s first-choice plans.

Then there’s the money. The wages on offer in Saudi Arabia are huge and Saint-Maximin looks set for a huge pay rise to his reported £72k-per-week wages at St James’ Park.

Thanks for the memories, Allan.