The Magpies manager is determined to retain a player who has proven to be “the best pound-to-pound player in the Premier League” this season
Steve Bruce insisted that Allan Saint-Maximin “has no chance” of leaving Newcastle despite constant speculation linking him to a summer transfer to Paris Saint-Germain.
Newcastle invested £ 17 million ($ 21 million) to bring Saint-Maximin to St James’ Park from Nice last summer. International France U21 has committed to a six-year deal with the Magpies, and has since decided to put their unique brand on the Premier League.
Saint-Maximin was the leading player in Bruce’s starting XI throughout the 2019-2020 campaign, recording four goals and seven assists in 25 appearances.
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He stepped up another game after the resumption of English football following a three-month break with coronavirus, helping Newcastle win two of their last three top flight games.
The 23-year-old scored three goals during the 4-1 Magpies on Bournemouth the last time, and is now attracting the attention of some of Europe’s biggest clubs.
PSG is reportedly making an offer for Saint-Maximin when the transfer market reopens, but Bruce is firmly convinced that a valuable asset will not be sold.
Speaking ahead of their meeting with West Ham on Sunday, the Newcastle chief told reporters, “There is no possibility [of him leaving], no chance. Every player in the world has its price, but Allan has just arrived. He signed a six-year contract in the summer.
“If people talk about him, well. It means he’s doing it on the pitch. It’s all they can focus on and let the rest take care of themselves.
“I wouldn’t give it a price. When you look at the money levels we bought it for, it is arguably the best contract between pounds and pounds in the Premier League. Show me another. What it produced, we probably got the purchase of the season “.
Bruce went on to admit that sometimes Saint-Maximin can be difficult to manage, adding: “There have been one or two moments, but we must remember it from time to time.
“When you get some reputation, which Allan seemed to have, of course, it will test your managerial skills.
“I don’t know how many times I fined him for earrings, headbands and all kinds, but he has a great enthusiasm for the game and, for me, it surpasses everything else.”
The Newcastle coach also expressed the belief that the French winger is capable of reaching the highest level of the game if he can learn to produce the goods on a consistent basis.
“Every interview I do now is the big talking point. People like to watch it,” said Bruce.
“He is certainly different and blessed with a natural ability that most people don’t have. He is already a fan favorite – but the key must be, can he achieve that consistency that the best players have?
“He has all the ability to be a top player, now the mental side is doing it week after week.
“This is the challenge for him and my staff to get the best out of him, but he certainly has the natural ingredients to be all he wants to be.”
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