Allan Saint-Maximin joins Al Ahli from Newcastle United

• Allan Saint-Maximin has become the latest big signing Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli has made this summer transfer window
• The 26-year-old has signed a four-year deal with Al Ahli, who already brought in Edouard Mendy, Roberto Firmino and Riyad Mahrez

Allan Saint-Maximin has become the latest big signing Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli has made this summer transfer window. The 26-year-old follows former Liverpool star Roberto Firmino, former Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy and former Manchester City winger Riyad Mahrez to Al Ahli.

Saint-Maximin has signed a four-year deal with the Saudi club, who referred to him as one of the best players on the messaging platform X, previously known as Twitter. The skilled winger confirmed his Newcastle United exit with an emotional social media post on Saturday.

Allan Saint-Maximin has joined Al Ahli. Photo/ BT.

“I fell for Newcastle, I had great opportunities to leave during dark days, but that was too late I was already in love, I wanted, I needed, I had to stay for helping my team to save the club from Premier League relegation because it meant the world for me… Even though this chapter has ended, the story never stops. Newcastle is home now. I’ll continue to be your biggest supporter.” Part of Saint Maximin’s post reads.

Saint-Maximin has joined Al Ahli for an undisclosed fee. According to BBC Sports, there are reports that Premier League teams are concerned that the winger’s transfer fee has not been disclosed. The clubs think the amount could be inflated in order to help Newcastle comply with Financial Fair Play regulations.

However, Newcastle’s manager Eddie Howe has said Saint-Maximin’s transfer fee will satisfy the Premier League. The Magpies needed to sell a big name from their squad this summer in order to be allowed to make new signings. Well, it seems Saint-Maximin has become the sacrificial lamb.

The Frenchman was, without a doubt, the best player in Newcastle since his arrival until before the takeoff. At one point, he almost single-handedly kept the Magpies in the Premier League. This happened under manager Steve Bruce.

Allan Saint Maximin’s talent and the video he posted confirming his exit speaks volume about his transfer to Al Ahli. The deal was borne out of necessity and not desire from both parties. Just like Newcastle United, Al Ahli are being run by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

Saint-Maximin began his football journey in 2003 at Verrieres-le-Buisson. He also played for the youth teams of US Ris-Orangis and Boulogne-Billancourt before joining Saint-Etienne, where he turned professional.

Allan Saint-Maximin joined Newcastle United in 2019. Photo/ Football Insider.

The talented Frenchman joined Monaco in 2015 but spent most of his time with the club on loan at Hannover 96 and Bastia. In 2017, he joined Nice where he spent two seasons before joining Newcastle United. During his time with the Magpies, Saint-Maximin has made 124 appearances, scoring on 13 occasions and registering 21 assists. He played in 25 league matches last season as Newcastle qualified for the UEFA Champions League after finishing fourth.