Former Newcastle United star Steve Howey has told The Transfer Tavern that the return of fans to St James’ Park will be central to keeping Allan Saint-Maximin at the club.

The winger has been linked with a move away from the Magpies in the summer transfer window, and hinted to talkSPORT this week that the north-east outfit need to show ambition to ensure they aren't in relegation battles.

Roma have been linked with a swoop after appointing Jose Mourinho as their new manager, as a report in Italy, via The Sun, claims that the Portuguese will have to spend around £60m to snap up the Frenchman.

He still has five years left on his contract and has been one of the club’s best players in recent months.

Saint-Maximin has scored three goals and laid on five assists this term, and is arguably one of the most exciting players at the club.

Howey believes, though, that keeping Saint-Maximin is key for Newcastle and he believes that bringing supporters back into St James’ Park could see the forward become aware of just how loved he is in the north east.

Speaking exclusively to TT, he said: “It just depends on the player. I think that if we can get fans back, that could help Newcastle keep him, because he will see how much the fans love him and he’ll love that because he seems that type of person anyway.

“He seems very witty on social media with certain stuff. They buy into him all day, but I think it’ll be really good for him, because he can get the feeling, first hand, of what Newcastle fans are like, and how much they’ll be off their seat when he gets the ball. Just the noise of the crowd, and I think that’ll definitely help Saint-Maximin realise that there’s not many clubs where you’re going to get that.”