Transfer insider Dean Jones has made an intriguing claim regarding the future of Newcastle United winger Allan Saint-Maximin. 

The lowdown: Lofty ambitions

The 25-year-old recently admitted in a revealing interview with Goal that he harbours ambitions of becoming a Ballon d'Or winner one day.

In the same conversation, the dazzling winger also opened up on his World Cup dream with France and touched upon the future at St James' Park following the takeover from PCP Capital Partners.

[web_stories_embed url="https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/newcastle-news-6/" title="Newcastle news!" poster="" width="360" height="600" align="none"]

However, although the Frenchman's personal targets likely mirror those of the club, the two parties may need to part ways...

The latest: 'Not going to fit'

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Jones suggested that selling Saint-Maximin could fund incomings into Eddie Howe's squad amidst interest in the 25-year-old from elsewhere in the Premier League.

The journalist claimed of Howe's transfer plans for the summer: “It’s really going to depend on who he can get out (for incoming transfers).

“People like Saint-Maximin are not going to fit in at the new Newcastle. Once the re-fit takes place, he needs to shift people like that out, see how he can replace them and the type of names and players that he can get into their position.”

The verdict: Huge call

Sanctioning the departure of the French entertainer would undoubtedly be the biggest calls that Howe will have made so far during his time in charge at Newcastle.

So far this season, Saint-Maximin has scored five times and provided four assists in 32 league outings, among the highest returns in the Magpies' squad but perhaps below-par from a player who has been described as 'unplayable' by Toon icon Rob Lee.

Despite the lowly goal return from the 25-year-old, Howe would likely be looking to keep the flamboyant Frenchman in situ at St James' Park and add more quality to the ranks around him to further improve Saint-Maximin's output.

In other news, journalist reacts to NUFC starlet's weekend heroics