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Written by Martin Graham | 25 April 2022
Mehrdad Qudoussi, co-owner of Newcastle United, has reportedly had a private conversation with Alain Saint-Maximin to persuade him to stay at St James’ Park amid PSG’s interest in his services.
Saint-Maximin joined Magpies from OGC Nice in 2019 and at the time was one of the club’s top players. His performances – along with a handful of players – have made a huge contribution to why the club has survived so long despite the poor seasons they have had since their return to the Premier League in the 2017/18 season.
His performances have now caught the attention of 10-times Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain, who are reportedly preparing to approach the player’s entourage ahead of the summer transfer.
This has also led to Mr Qudoussi, co-owner of Newcastle, stepping in directly and promising the 25-year-old a sports project centered around his incredible talent.
Magpies was acquired this season by a consortium made up of PCP Capital Partners, RB Sports and Media (the Reuben Brothers) and Saudi Arabia’s state-run Public Investment Fund (PIF). At the time, they oversaw a change in fortunes for the club that was due to take part in the tournament next season.
Since the turn of the year, investment from the consortium led by the Saudi-backed Public Investment Fund and the appointment of Eddie Howe as manager of the club has seen the win before going into a big round of 10 of the last 14.
They are now sitting in ninth after starting the year in the relegation zones. This has now brought Newcastle back the spotlight and made it attractive to players, meaning the new owners will be able to build a better squad ahead of next season.
Qudoussi, husband of Amanda Staveley and partner at BCB Capital Partners, reports woman To have Saint-Maximin promised a new contract despite his current contract remaining four years, stumbled on salary, and signatures he would agree to.
PSG has wealthy owners as well, so it remains to be seen which economic proposal will convince Saint-Maximin more. The prospect of playing alongside Lionel Messi, Neymar and possibly Kylian Mbappe could be very tempting for Saint-Maximin.
Elsewhere, Paul Scholes praised Newcastle as a whole for their improved form, but singled out Saint Maximin’s attacking partner Joelinton with praise.
The Brazilian has struggled since joining the club in 2020 but has become a different player under Eddie Howe this season, who has mostly used him as a second striker, upside down winger or as an attacking midfielder.
Scoring twice on Saturday to boost Newcastle’s chances of a first-half finish of the season away to Norwich, Scholes lyric about his transformation as Eddie Howe has overseen him this season.
“If you’ve ever seen a player change his career at a club, I’ve never seen anything like that,” Scholes said after the match. “He died and was buried playing as a striker.
“Then Eddie brought him in as a midfielder and he’s now scoring goals. What a goal (his first goal). What a great ending.
“And then he gets to the end of things (the second goal), as well as being hardworking in midfield.
“He (Murphy) has had a bit of a fortune here, he’s a bit lucky, he’s going towards goal and then Jullinton finished that well with his left foot.”
