Allan’s future black and white
2PM TOMORROW, SKY SPORTS
STEVE BRUCE has vowed not to sell “special talent” Allan Saint-Maximin this summer.
The French forward is Newcastle’s game changer and Bruce accepts he will attract interest in the transfer window – but rivals will not be able to afford the fee of up to £50million. Saint-Maximin has the talent to have an impact at a top club, but he signed a lucrative deal at St James’ Park in October that ties him in until June 2026.
Bruce said: “The last thing we want to be doing is selling our best players. The thing for Allan is he needs to find consistency, stay well and stay fit.
“Covid hit him badly but you can see when he is playing, and playing injury-free, he is a special talent, which inevitably will draw interest.”
Boss Bruce has warned that – like most clubs – Newcastle will struggle for cash this summer.
“We’ll all have to cut our cloth,” he said. “There will not be millions and millions spent this summer and we are not alone in that. Clubs have been struggling.”
Bruce added he would like to bring on-loan Arsenal forward Joe Willock back next season, saying the ‘super-sub’ hero of Anfield last week will be a starter if he does return.
Willock cannot play against his parent club tomorrow, with Bruce adding: “He does not like being called super-sub – if we get him next year he will be playing.We are delighted for the kid. Unbelievable.We have to have a conversation with Arsenal.
“We don’t know if he is available until we have those conversations. I know Joe has enjoyed it here.
“I heard him talking about going down the coast. He has enjoyed the area and has been successful. For a lad of 21, started eight games, got four goals, it has been a fantastic thing for him.”