Allan Saint-Maximin breaks silence as ‘dream’ Newcastle United takeover scenario takes £30m plot twist

Allan Saint-Maximin has declared his “love” for football amid reports linking him with Turkish giants Fenerbahce.

Just one year after leaving Newcastle United for £23million, the Frenchman could already be eyeing a European return. FFP/PSR constraints forced the Magpies to sell a prized asset and Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli swooped in for a cut-price fee.

Saint-Maximin was revered by Newcastle fans for providing a glimmer of hope during Mike Ashley’s final days as owner. The 27-year-old’s electrifying displays out wide were all Toon fans had to get excited about until the Premier League approved the £300million takeover.

"Four years ago, I wore the Newcastle jersey for the first time,” Saint-Maximin penned in an emotional farewell last summer. “At that moment, I hadn’t realized that not only was I about to become a Newcastle player, but I was also about to become a Geordie.

"From the very first months that I met the people of this city, I truly understood them and embraced their unwavering passion, which is why it was so important for me to give my all and, if this meant playing injured or even not making statistics, I didn’t give a **** as long as it would help my team.

"Believe me, 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 to help my team and save the club from Premier League relegation because it meant the world for me.

“ Newcastle is home now, I'll continue to be your biggest supporter, I'll watch every game and as long as the club keeps winning I'll be the happiest man in the world… and for sure you will see me again. I love you. Once a Geordie, always a Geordie."

Reports now claim he will join Jose Mourinho at Fenerbache, with the iconic Portuguese manager taking charge last month. In a parallel universe, both are at Newcastle following the Saudi-backed takeover.

Many expected Saint-Maximin to be on Tyneside for years to come despite the transformative takeover. Mourinho, too, was a popular choice among fans for the dugout given his Sir Bobby Robson connections.

However, both are set to represent blue-and-yellow stripes rather than black and white next season. Saint-Maximin returned to Al Ahli's first-team training in midweek and proclaimed his enthusiasm to improve.

He posted on Instagram: “I love this game so much. (I am) so happy to be back, let's write the history together.”