ALLAN SAINT-MAXIMIN has cast doubt over his Newcastle United future by claiming that his career is at a “turning point” in an emotional message delivered by social media.

The French forward is the subject of mounting transfer speculation after a somewhat up-and-down campaign that saw some notable highs, such as the dramatic last-minute equaliser against Wolves at the start of the season, combined with a series of more challenging moments, when a combination of injury and loss of form saw him struggle to hold down a place in the team.

Saint-Maximin, who is contracted to Newcastle to the summer of 2026, made just 12 Premier League starts last term, with Eddie Howe often preferring to play Joelinton, Alexander Isak or Anthony Gordon in the wide attacking position on the left-hand side.

The 26-year-old’s limited involvement has led to renewed talk about his future, with AC Milan having been repeatedly linked with him in the past and a number of clubs in France also understood to be lining up potential summer offers.

Howe was asked about Saint-Maximin’s future in the immediate aftermath of last month’s season-ending game at Chelsea, and suggested the winger’s fate was ‘in his own hands’.

Saint-Maximin did not respond to that immediately, but he has now issued a lengthy statement via Instagram which casts doubt over his long-term future on Tyneside.

“When I joined NUFC in 2019, nobody understood my choice,” said the Frenchman, who left Nice to join the Magpies. “I always believed in this club, as soon as I step onto the pitch, the fans directly adopted me.

“Since then, there has been high and lows, when we were in the relegation zone, but I always believed in the team and trusted the project, even if it was hard to stay in the PL (Premier League). I knew that the club deserved much better and we had to prove it, and I gave everything on the pitch to keep the team at the highest level. I am grateful that some people remember that.

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“When the club has been bought by the new owners, the fans finally got what they deserved. I really want to thank all of my best supporters for supporting and believing in me, it’s because of you that I wake up every day more determined than ever – but even the people that criticise when it’s fair, because sometimes the negative is beneficial to get up – I always tried my best to help the club in the best way possible, even by playing injured.

“This year has been one of the most difficult years emotionally, you are not able to know that as I keep personal things for myself, but I lost some really important people, and that is nothing compared to all the things that happened in my life this year, but I always tried to be present on the pitch and give everything. I am so proud of the team and that we achieved the CL (Champions League).

“I am now entering a turning point in my career, and I will give everything until the end to achieve my dreams. It’s often said that human beings forget quickly, but me, I won’t be able to forget everyone that love(s) me for who I am and believe(d) in me in difficult moments, it’s in these hard situations that we see the real supporters.

“Thanks to everyone for the support, whatever happens, I will always give everything when I have the chance to step onto the pitch. Thanks God for everything.”

With Howe understood to be keen to sign another wide attacker this summer, and with Gordon still feeling his way into the first team after his January switch from Everton, it could well be the case that Saint-Maximin is sacrificed this summer in order to free up a squad place and ease some of the pressure being exerted by the Financial Fair Play regulations.

The winger undoubtedly has his admirers, both within the Premier League and in continental Europe, but he has struggled with a series of injuries in the last couple of seasons and been unable to regularly rediscover the explosive form that made him such a potent force in the early stages of his Newcastle career.

Howe rarely gives too much away when he is asked to discuss a player’s future, but it was perhaps telling that he put the ball firmly into Saint-Maximin’s court when quizzed on the possibility of the Frenchman leaving at Stamford Bridge.

“That (his future) will be dictated by Maxi himself,” said Howe, at the end of a game that saw Saint-Maximin repeatedly touching the badge on his Newcastle shirt as he left the field. “He has so much ability, and he’s such an important player for us when he’s at his very best, fitness-wise. He’s unique, there’s no one like him in the Premier League.

“You saw he’s a huge transitional threat today, his end product was there, so (we’re) really pleased. We just hope he comes back really fit and ready to do well in what is a massive season for him personally.”