Newcastle United name surprise player in squad for US games despite Eddie Howe’s transfer admission

Newcastle United have named their squad for the Premier League’s US series, and there is a surprise inclusion.

The Magpies are keen to strengthen over the course of this summer ahead of a Champions League season, and they have already spent big on Sandro Tonali. But to spend even more cash, it’s likely Eddie Howe will need to agree exits in order to raise money, balance the books and ensure compliance with Financial Fair Play rules.

As part of that, Allan Saint-Maximin has been linked with a move away despite playing a big part in the club’s memorable season of last.

According to the BBC, Saint-Maximin is in talks with an unnamed club over an exit, and asked about the links recently, Howe has admitted he would be ‘sad’ to lose the Frenchman.

“He’s in early discussions over a potential move away. That’s why he wasn’t here,” Howe said. “It’s doubtful he’ll join us on the tour of America. I don’t think Maxi necessarily wants to leave, but he may feel it’s the right time for him to move.

“It’s difficult for me to speak for him, but he hasn’t asked to leave. There’s been no issue between him and any of us coaches. We all love him,” said the Newcastle boss. “If he does leave, we’d lose him with a very heavy heart. He’s someone we love working with, he’s a difference-maker, we’ve really had a strong working relationship, and it’ll be sad if he leaves.”

Asked about the interest in relation to FFP rules, Howe added: “Maxi is the player that’s generating the interest,” said Howe. “FFP is a new dynamic which really came to the fore after my first window here when we knew it would impact us. Player trading is a key part of it - you can’t hit it, if you don’t trade. We’re forced to trade a player this window.

“If the deal didn’t go through, I’d be delighted. It would obviously impact our ability to bring any more players in, and then we potentially might have to sell another player. That’s the way that Financial Fair Play has hit us.”

Despite all that, Saint-Maximin has been named in Newcastle’s squad for the fast-approaching Premier League US series, when the Magpies will face Aston Villa, Chelsea and Brighton across the pond.

Naturally, it doesn’t mean Allan is guaranteed to play, nor that he cannot leave Newcastle while those games are taking place, but by being named, he is eligible to continue his pre-season preparations with Newcastle Stateside.

The full confirmed squad is as follows:

Miguel Almiron, Elliot Anderson, Joelinton, Harrison Ashby, Sven Botman, Dan Burn, Karl Darlow, Martin Dubravka, Paul Dummett, Mark Gillespie, Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes, Alexander Isak, Jamaal Lascelles, Jamal Lewis, Sean Longstaff, Javier Manquillo, Jamie Miley, Lewis Miley, Jacob Murphy, Alex Murphy, Ben Parkinson, Nick Pope, Matt Ritchie, Allan Saint Maximin, Remi Savage, Fabian Schar, Kieran Trippier, Jay Turner-Cooke, Joe Willock, Callum Wilson, Emil Krafth, Matt Targett, Joe White, Sandro Tonali, Loris Karius.