Everton have reportedly identified Newcastle United winger Allan Saint-Maximin as a replacement for Richarlison, who is a transfer target for Real Madrid.
According to a report from the Mirror, newly-appointed Everton manager Rafael Benitez could be set to raid former employers Newcastle United for the signing of French winger Allan Saint-Maximin this summer.
Benitez has sparked a fair bit of controversy by taking the Everton job despite his past allegiances with arch-rivals Liverpool. And, he could be set to upset another set of his supporters as he plots a move for Newcastle’s Saint-Maximin, in order to bolster the wide areas. The need for a new winger has risen from the uncertainty surrounding the future of star man Richarlison.
The Brazilian has been a mainstay at Goodison Park since his move from Watford in 2018. However, Richarlison is attracting plenty of interest from La Liga heavyweights Real Madrid in the ongoing transfer window, with Carlo Ancelotti pushing for a reunion after having left the Toffees’ to return to the Santiago Bernabeu.
With the likes of Bernard and Alex Iwobi not entirely convincing during their tenure at the Merseyside outfit, Benitez has identified Saint-Maximin as a player that he wants Everton to bring in this summer should Richarlison end up leaving for Real Madrid.
Saint-Maximin has been with Newcastle United for two years now, having arrived from OGC Nice, just after Benitez had been replaced by Steve Bruce as the manager at St. James’ Park. During his time with the Magpies, the 24-year-old has been a revelation and one of the few bright sparks in what have been a couple of dull campaigns in Tyneside.
To date, Saint-Maximin has featured 56 times for Newcastle United, scoring six goals and setting up eleven more for his teammates. However, those numbers don’t do justice to the kind of threat and quality that the 24-year-old brings in the final third. That is why the Magpies handed him a six-year contract in October last year and have slapped a £60 million valuation on him.
However, Everton are now reportedly ready to test their resolve this summer with an offer close to the valuation, with the report mentioning a figure of around £50 million. Any move for him, though, would hinge on the future of Richarlison, although given the Brazilian’s strong relationship with Ancelotti, he might find it hard to turn down the chance of a reunion should Real Madrid come calling.