Allan Saint-Maximin wants to STAY at Newcastle and fight for his place - with the winger seeing Champions League football as key to helping him break into the France squad
- Allan Saint-Maximin has been linked with an exit from Newcastle this summer
- The French winger struggled for game-time last season as he battled injury
- He believes playing in the Champions League can help him earn a France call-up
Newcastle United winger Allan Saint-Maximin has decided he wants to stay and play Champions League football.
Saint-Maximin joined the Magpies from Nice back in 2019 and quickly became a fans favourite with his skillful and entertaining style of play.
The 26-year-old had been earmarked as an asset Newcastle could sell to boost their transfer budget but with interest limited, the French flyer wants to fight for his place.
Saint-Maximin signed a lengthy contract under the Mike Ashley regime and would still like new terms to bring him in line with the club's new signings but, for now, has been convinced the best way of achieving that is to play.
With him on the left and Anthony Gordon on the right, Saint-Maximin believes the Champions League can provide him with the platform to make the France squad also.
![Newcastle United winger Allan Saint-Maximin has decided he wants to stay at the club](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/12/13/72038007-12185727-image-a-91_1686571690874.jpg)
Newcastle United winger Allan Saint-Maximin has decided he wants to stay at the club
![The Frenchman had been linked with an exit this summer as the Magpies look to raise funds](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/12/13/72038009-12185727-image-a-92_1686571693326.jpg)
The Frenchman had been linked with an exit this summer as the Magpies look to raise funds
He represented Les Bleus up to Under 21 level but is yet to appear for the senior team.
During his four years at St James' Park, the tricky winger has racked up 124 appearances for the club, scoring 13 goals.
He was a rare shining light as Newcastle battled relegation during his first few seasons but has since had to make to do with more of a bit-part role under Eddie Howe.
The Frenchman missed large swathes of last season with injury as he played just 25 times in the Premier League, while only 12 of these were starts.
![But, Saint-Maximin wants to fight for his place and feature more regularly under Eddie Howe](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/12/13/72038011-12185727-image-a-93_1686571695950.jpg)
But, Saint-Maximin wants to fight for his place and feature more regularly under Eddie Howe
![Newcastle are also expected to move for James Maddison, but Tottenham are keen on him](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/06/12/13/72038015-12185727-image-a-94_1686571702527.jpg)
Newcastle are also expected to move for James Maddison, but Tottenham are keen on him
Elsewhere, Newcastle are expected to make a move for Leicester City's James Maddison this week but with Tottenham's interest the value is closer to £60m so they are juggling alternatives on their list.
The England international is almost certain to leave the Foxes this summer after their relegation from the top flight.
Maddison provided 19 goal contributions in just 30 Premier League games and such was his form that he broke through into Gareth Southgate's World Cup squad - although he battled a knee injury during the tournament and failed to make an appearance.
Meanwhile, the merits of AC Milan's Italy international Sandro Tonali have been floated again while they know Red Bull Leipzig midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai has a £65m release clause, even though they would hope to negotiate.
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