Allan Saint-Maximin has completed his move to Saudi Pro League club, Al-Ahli from Premier League side Newcastle United.
The 26-year-old French forward joined the Saudi Arabian champions this summer as their fourth elite signing from Premier League clubs.
Recall that the Suadi Pro League club signed Edouard Mendy from Chelsea, Riyad Mahrez from Manchester City, and Roberto Firmino from Liverpool before they brought in Allan Saint-Maximin from Newcastle.
In 2019, Saint-Maximin moved from French Ligue 1 side, OGC Nice to Newcastle United where he played 111 times and scored 12 Premier League goals. He has agreed to a four-year contract with Al-Ahli which will keep him at the club untill June 30, 2027.
On Saturday, Saint-Maximin announced on social media that he was leaving Newcastle and said that his “greatest trophy” was being a part of the squad.
The Public Investment Fund (PIF) of Saudi Arabia, which owns Newcastle, also owns Al-Ahli, hence, Saint-Maximin’s move was quite smooth.
According to reports, Saint-Maximin’s transfer fee, which has not been made public, may have been inflated to help Newcastle meet Financial Fair Play requirements. This has rival Premier League clubs worried, according to the reports.
However, manager Howe said that the player’s move to Saudi Arabia “will satisfy the Premier League,” while the league CEO Richard Masters maintains that the league’s rules are “robust.”
