Allan Saint-Maximin left Newcastle United two years ago but still follows the club from further afield.
Allan Saint-Maximin has opened up about quintupling his wages when he left Newcastle United to join Al-Ahili two years ago.
Toon chiefs sold the fan favourite in 2023 to help bankroll summer spending and align more with Eddie Howe’s philosophy. While never acknowledged publicly, the Toon boss was willing to let the flamboyant Saint-Maximin leave for a more productive winger.
Anthony Gordon joined months earlier and Harvey Barnes was brought in once the Frenchman moved on. Saint-Maximin had been a rare highlight towards the back end of Mike Ashley’s reign.
Allan Saint-Maximin’s move to Saudi Arabia
However, Newcastle’s balance sheet looked tight and the wideman was sacrificed, with Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli stumping up a modest £23million. Despite the moderate fee, Premier League clubs ignited a debate around Associated Party Transactions given the Public Investment Fund’s involvement at both clubs.
This was laughed off by Toon fans, who had watched rivals gorge on Saudi riches from selling their unwanted talent. As it happened, Saint-Maximin left and has endured a turbulent couple of years since.
He lasted one season at Al-Ahli before being loaned out to Turkish giants Fenerbahce. But a public feud with manager Jose Mourinho resulted in him seeing little game time during the second half of the season.
Saint-Maximin is contracted to the Saudi club for another year but has been plotting a return to France. That is likely another short-term deal given his staggering contract making any permanent switch difficult.
Allan Saint-Maximin on Saudi Arabian riches
Speaking to YouTube channel Zach, the 28-year-old discussed his St James' Park exit and mouthwatering €45million contract. Saint-Maximin said: “I was the player with the biggest market value (at Newcastle) so the club came to see me. We didn't want to separate.
“It wasn't the first thing I wanted. But like I said, when there's this loyalty, this love for a club that gave you so much and when there's a proposal that comes like that, the proposal of a lifetime, it was the perfect thing.
“Most players have big salaries in the Premier League, in Paris Saint-Germain, in clubs like Inter, Milan, Real, etc but the offers you get in Saudi Arabia is another world.
“It's another world when you go from €3million per year net to a proposal of €15million per season on a three-year contract that's €45million net and €90million gross, it's numbers where when you see the contract and you ask yourself if it's real, you say to yourself, I'm really going to be able to earn that?
“I started football, I earned €300 (per week). When you start, you're aiming for €300. And to see that in the end, you have a proposal like that on a €45million (per year) net contract, it's exceptional.”
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Allan Saint-Maximin thanks God
Saint-Maximin also highlighted his religion as a crucial aspect of his life. He added: “That's why I say they've changed my whole life. The schools for my children, the houses I was able to buy, my parents, my family, everyone, it's thanks to them. And of course, thanks to God. I'm very religious, so everything that happens is a grace.
“Without God, none of this would have been possible. God comes into people's hearts and that contract allowed me to change my life and to change the lives of all the people around me.”
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