Newcastle United: Saint-Maximin set to depart, with Harvey Barnes incoming

Transcript

00:00 Whilst preparations were underway for Newcastle's encounter with Rangers, local TV sport were

00:05 made aware of negotiations for Newcastle United to sell French winger Alan St Maxman to the

00:11 Saudi Pro League, with Newcastle also then scheduling a medical for Maxman's replacement

00:17 from Leicester, Harvey Barnes. Barnes, who scored 13 goals in a relegated Leicester side

00:23 last year, very much fits the mould of the type of player Eddie Howe wants at Newcastle

00:27 United. On the other hand, despite his skill and flair, Alan St Maxman's injury and goal

00:33 contributions record are not a match for Barnes and is set to leave Newcastle after four years

00:39 at the club. Barnes then arrived at Newcastle's training ground for his scheduled medical,

00:45 so I spoke to Jordan Cronin of Newcastle World to hear his thoughts on both of the deals.

00:53 Firstly, if we look at the St Maxman deal, it's split opinion that one, isn't it? Obviously,

01:00 talisman, great flair and skill, but not an awful lot of end product. Yeah, I think you've

01:06 nailed that. I think on St Maxman's day, hell of a player. I don't think we've seen it enough,

01:12 especially on Eddie Howe. I know this is a controversial opinion, but I don't think we've

01:15 seen the levels that Alan St Maxman can hit on a consistent basis. As I say, if he was

01:20 consistently at his best, which we've seen last season against Manchester City and perhaps

01:23 the Wolves, I only scored that unbelievable goal. But we didn't see that enough. I think

01:28 Eddie Howe has realised that and has ultimately had the chance to bring in Harvey Barnes.

01:33 Consistency is key and that's something that Harvey Barnes provides in comparison to Alan

01:38 St Maxman, whether that be appearances, because he's a lot less injury prone than Alan St Maxman

01:43 is, and of course goals and assists, which he outflanks St Maxman in as well in all sorts of

01:47 stats departments. So looking at Harvey Barnes himself, would you say, given what I've just said

01:51 there, an upgrade? I would definitely say an upgrade. As I say, I think St Maxman on his day

01:56 is probably a bit more talented, but consistency is key and Harvey Barnes over his, I think,

02:01 three or four years at Leicester and the Premier League, over 150 Premier League appearances,

02:05 has done the business. I think it's about 35 goals, 25 assists.