Newcastle United boss Steve Bruce is in no doubt that Allan Saint-Maximin “will attract interest” this summer after witnessing him score a “remarkable” goal in training.
The Frenchman has contributed three goals and four assists this season as the Magpies have flirted with relegation from the Premier League.
His return to fitness and form has helped Newcastle move away from the drop zone recently with his spectacular 33-minute cameo against Burnley a particular highlight.
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Saint-Maximin also helped the Geordies to four points from their last two matches against West Ham and Liverpool and Bruce is keen to keep him at the club.
Bruce told reporters: “The last thing we want to be doing is selling our best players.
“I have no doubt he will attract interest because you only have to watch him once and realise that he’s a really gifted, talented footballer…he scored a goal in training the other day which was just remarkable. Pity we haven’t got footage of it.”
Joe Willock has scored three goals off the bench in his last three matches for Newcastle, including a late equaliser against Liverpool last time out, but Bruce claims the Arsenal loanee wants to shake off his “super sub” tag.
Bruce added: “He doesn’t like being called super sub by the way, and if we can get him for next year, he won’t be a super sub, he’ll be playing.
“I’m pleased for Joe, he has the football world talking about him. We’d love to keep him if we can.”
On his price tag, Bruce continued: “I don’t know where £20million come from, journalists. We have not started the conversation with Arsenal yet.”
Newcastle play Arsenal on Sunday and Bruce has revealed that Matt Ritchie is a doubt for the match, while Fabian Schar is returning to fitness.
Bruce said: “We’ve got a slight doubt about Matt Ritchie. He’s got a bit of a calf injury but we think he’s going to be OK [for Sunday]. Apart from that – everybody else has come through Liverpool alright.
“Fab wants to be involved straight away. He might make the squad but we’ve got to be careful because he’s been out for 11 weeks. But, he’s trained well, and come through 45 minutes (for the under-23s) unscathed, so he’s there or thereabouts.”
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