Former Aston Villa star insists shock Newcastle United sale ‘makes sense’

Former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has described Newcastle United star Allan Saint-Maximin as ‘unreliable’ as the winger edges closer to a move away from St James Park.

Magpies manager Eddie Howe confirmed the 26-year-old is in ‘early discussions’ over a possible move to Saudi Arabian club Al Ahli and could well become the latest big name to move the Pro League over the coming days.

Howe revealed he would be losing Saint-Maximin ‘with a heavy heart’ in the aftermath of Tuesday’s win at Rangers and admitted the move was being considered to allow United to continue working within Financial Fair Play regulations as they look to boost their own squad ahead of their return to the Champions League.

Although a key player in Newcastle’s recent past, Saint-Maximin made just 14 starts in all competitions last season as Howe’s side secured a top four finish in the Premier League and made their way to their first major cup final since 1999.

Former Villa star Agbonlahor believes Newcastle’s decision to consider a deal to sell Saint-Maximin ‘makes sense’ and insisted the winger is not the type of player Howe needs if he is to end the club’s long wait for major silverware.

He told talkSPORT: “100% (it is the right choice to sell Saint-Maximin).

“Unreliable. He is great on the eye, if you are a neutral and you are watching a game live or on TV, you are going to see someone try tricks when there is no-one around him. But when I watched him play, he would get past a couple of players, then make the wrong pass. You need a lot more reliable players – he doesn’t score enough goals for me.

“He is a player you enjoy watching, but if you want to win stuff, then I don’t think he is the man to have in your team. Saint-Maximin was kind of like, try a trick for no reason when nobody is around him. You do seven step-overs, then cross it out of play. Maybe you look good on YouTube. You also know that there is a club in Saudi Arabia that will give over the odds for him, so it makes sense.”