Newcastle United have now been backed to sell Allan Saint-Maximin to a rival club in the Premier League.

The Lowdown: Saint-Maximin 'unsettled'

At the end of July, Daily Telegraph journalist Luke Edwards claimed that Saint-Maximin was 'unsettled' at St James' Park and has a valuation of £70m+.

The Daily Mirror also reported earlier last month that Everton will make a £50m bid for the Frenchman if they end up losing Richarlison to Real Madrid before the summer transfer window ends.

The Latest: Sale backed

Speaking to Football Insider, former Celtic and West Ham United striker Frank McAvennie has backed the potential sale of Saint-Maximin to the Toffees, providing that they have the money to sign him. He said:

“I can see that happening.

“There’s no bigger club than Newcastle but why on earth would you want to stay there?

“They don’t have any chance of challenging for anything, they aren’t going to win a trophy.

“I always thought they would but they never have. They have got worse under Bruce and Saint-Maximin is an incredible talent.

“He caused them all kinds of problems at Goodison last year.

“If Rafa does want him, and Everton have the money, that’s a deal I can see happening.”

The Verdict: Keep

Newcastle could get a lot of money by selling Saint-Maximin, which could then be used to reinvest in other areas of the pitch and thus make the overall squad stronger, but they will never forgive themselves if they sold him to a top-flight rival.

The winger has proven how important a player he is to the Magpies, as they lost eight of the 17 matches for which he was absent from the team from in all competitions last season, winning just four (Transfermarkt).

Were the Toffees able to sign him over the next few weeks, then there would be little time for Newcastle to replace a player of his calibre, and it would give Steve Bruce a huge headache going into the new campaign.

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