La Liga star ‘in line’ for Newcastle United move amid Allan Saint-Maximin claim

The Magpies are said to identified a possible target in Spain.
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Villarreal’s highly-rated forward Samu Chukwueze has reportedly been lined up as a possible replacement for Newcastle United winger Allan Saint-Maximin.

Spanish outlet Estadio Deportivo have claimed the Magpies ‘have it in mind to sell’ Saint-Maximin during the summer transfer window and suggest the former Nice star does not ‘have the same prominence’ as he has enjoyed in recent seasons at St James Park.

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Magpies recruitment staff have been regular visitors to La Liga fixtures this season and Nigerian international Chukwueze is believed to have caught their attention after impressive for Quique Setien’s side as they push for a place in European competition. The 23-year-old has scored 13 goals and provided 11 assists in all competitions and his improvement in form has won praise from his manager.

Speaking recently, Setien said: “Samu is at the moment and he is a kid who wants to improve. Many days when the training ends we stay with him to work on the finals as in the last goal. His desire to learn and his effort are having an extraordinary reward. The fact of playing as we play helps him a lot because we managed to get the ball to him a lot."

Whether Setien is able to continue working with his prize asset remains open to question, with Estadio Deportivo revealing Villarreal have rejected ‘numerous offers’ for the winger in recent years. However, their hand could be forced as the report states Chukwueze has ‘no intention’ of extending his current contract, which comes to an end in the summer of 2024. Newcastle are believed to be the latest club to identify the talented winger as a possible target after Aston Villa and Everton were also said to be keen to offer him a chance to impress in the Premier League.