Everton were looking for wingers in the summer transfer window. While Demarai Gray and Andros Townsend had already been signed, Rafa Benitez was looking to add another winger to the roster. The names of Dwight McNeil, Leon Bailey, Luis Diaz and Allan Saint-Maximin made headlines as Everton targets.
In the end, none of these deals materialized. Bailey went to Aston Villa, McNeil’s evaluation was too high, Diaz and Saint-Maximin stayed put. The Newcastle United attacker is one of the most followed wingers as a number of teams remain interested in signing the Frenchman.
Newcastle United are currently lingering in the relegation spots, sitting in 17th place without a win in six games. The Toons are one of the bookmarkers’ favourites to get relegated. Saint-Maximin has been a key figure in the Newcastle team since his arrival at St. James’ Park in 2019.
The former OGC Nice winger was an Everton target in the summer and the Toffees were ready to make a bid had Richarlison left, after being linked to Real Madrid and PSG. The Toons had slapped a £50 million price tag on their prized asset and in the end he ended up staying at Newcastle. Saint-Maximin has scored two goals and assisted further three in six Premier League games.
Everton could move for Allan Saint-Maximin
According to Calciomercato, Everton, Chelsea and Liverpool could activate the pursuit of Saint-Maximin in the summer of 2022. The report adds that a move in January is highly unlikely but these three Premier League sides could battle for the Newcastle No.10 next summer.
Rafa Benitez has instilled a system that has seen Everton attack and counter attack with pace and intensity. The success of this system is largely down to excellent ball carrying players and pacey wingers. Saint-Maximin ticks both the boxes.
Saint-Maximin completes is an impressive ball carrier, completing 4.51 dribbles per game, putting him in top 1% of wingers in Europe. He averages 8.85 progressive carries which puts him in the top 2%. The Frenchman is the heartbeat of the Newcastle attack and has been involved in five of the seven goals scored by the Toons this season. (stats via FBref)
He’s a player with supersonic speed and eye catching flair. The 24 year old can be a dream signing for the Toffees but they will have to battle the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool. Newcastle United may be forced to sell their key man if they fail to survive the relegation battle. Saint-Maximin would suit Everton’s system and add a lot more threat from the flanks.
Allan Saint-Maximin is surely a player to watch out for.