Transfers: Newcastle United favourite Allan Saint-Maximin has reportedly found his next club.
Allan Saint-Maximin had his contract at Club America in Mexico terminated by mutual consent last week, leaving him free to find a new club for the second half of the 2025/26 campaign.
It will be Saint-Maximin’s fourth club since leaving Newcastle United in July 2023 to join Al-Ahli. He then had a spell on loan at Fenerbahce in Turkey before moving to Mexico to join Club America.
Saint-Maximin joined Newcastle from Nice in 2019 and now looks set to return to France.
Allan Saint-Maximin set for free transfer
Despite some tentative Premier League interest, the winger looks set to join Ligue 1 high-flyers RC Lens.
Lens currently sit second in the Ligue 1 table, just two points behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain.
According to various reports, including L’Equipe, Saint-Maximin is set to make Lens his fifth club since 2023 as he looks to help them push for Champions League qualification and perhaps even the league title.
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The Frenchman scored four and assisted 10 goals in 30 appearances in his first season in the Saudi Pro League as Al-Ahli finished third. But after admitting the season ‘wasn’t easy’, Saint-Maximin joined Fenerbahce on loan for the 2024-25 campaign.
The winger endured another challenging season as he fell out of favour under Jose Mourinho, yet still ended the campaign with four goals in 31 appearances.
Saint-Maximin was then sold to the Mexican side, Club America, for just £9million last summer. But after just 16 appearances and less than six months in Mexico, the 28-year-old has had his contract terminated.
Allan Saint-Maximin releases Instagram statements
Days prior to his release, Saint-Maximin hit out at the racist abuse directed towards his children.
“The problem is not the colour of your skin, it's the colour of your thoughts,” he wrote on Instagram.
“I’m being attacked, not a problem I grew up, I learned to fight against attacks, whether they are concealed, concealed or frontal.
“But there's one thing I will never tolerate is my kids being picked up. Protecting my children is my priority and I will fight to make sure they are respected and loved, regardless of their background or the colour of their skin. Hate and discrimination has no place in our society.”
The winger then released another lengthy statement after his exit from Club America was confirmed.
“At the age of eleven, I left my home, leaving behind my father, mother, elder brother and younger sister to pursue my dreams,” Saint-Maximin wrote. “I've had great experiences, met amazing people, and accomplished more than I could ever have imagined.
“Throughout my career I’ve worked hard to provide for my family and those I love, and I’m grateful to have been able to provide a better life for them.
“I've always put others before myself, thinking about their well-being and their future rather than my own. This has allowed me to build something solid and lasting for those who will come after me, because we are not eternal and health is the most precious asset we have.
“One day, we will return to our Creator, and it is important to leave behind a positive legacy and strong foundations for future generations. But despite all that, I've faced personal trials, painful losses, and absences that have deeply affected me.
“Members of my family and very dear friends have left too soon, and I regret not being able to be there for them and their families. My job has often prevented me from being where I wanted to be, and that has made me realize that life is fragile and every moment counts.
“That’s why I decided to come home, to be closer to the people I love and to refocus on what’s really important to me. I’m ready for a new challenge, a new beginning where I can fully devote myself to football and find the joy of playing again, like when I was a child, without anything else but the joy of playing.
“I want to thank all those who have supported, encouraged, and loved me throughout my journey. You have been my strength and my inspiration. I am grateful for everything I've experienced, and I am eager to begin this new chapter of my life.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart to @clubamerica.”
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