Newcastle United ‘ready’ to table improved £25m offer amid Allan Saint-Maximin sale

Newcastle United are reportedly ready to ramp up their interest in one of their key summer transfer targets amid further speculation over Allan Saint-Maximin’s future at St James Park.

The former Nice and Bastia winger featured in the Magpies opening pre-season friendly at National League neighbours Gateshead on Saturday but did not travel to Rangers on Tuesday night as Eddie Howe’s side continued their preparations for the new Premier League campaign.

There were widespread reports suggesting Saint-Maximin was the subject of interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia as the former France Under-21 international look set to be handed an opportunity to join the likes of Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ruben Neves by moving to the Gulf State this summer.

United look prepared to press on with their bid for Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes should Saint-Maximin agree to a move to the Pro League - but one other potential deal could be handed a boost as the Magpies hierarchy look to add to their squad over the coming weeks.

Newcastle’s interest in Southampton full-back Tino Livramento has been widely reported in recent weeks - although the two clubs were said to be some distance apart in their valuation of the former Chelsea academy defender. However, Football Insider have now reported United are willing to increase their initial offer of £15million and ‘are believed to be ready to go as high as £25million’ to get the deal done.

New Southampton manager Russell Martin expressed his desire to retain the services of Livramento after the young full-back impressed in an unfamiliar role in midfield during a friendly against Turkish club Goztepe at the weekend.

The Saints boss said: “I think he is getting used to it (in midfield) though and I think he enjoys how much of the ball he gets, he will create a lot for us from there. He will still be able to get on the outside and do what he has done best, he is a really exciting player to work with, a real talent and I’m enjoying working with him. Hopefully, it will stay that way.”