Newcastle United want to sell Allan Saint-Maximin to finance the transfer of Harvey Barnes

Allan Saint-Maximin started in just 12 Premier League games last season and hasn't scored a competitive goal since last August. Credit: Reuters/Scott Heppell

Newcastle United could sell Allan Sainte-Maximin this summer to help finance the signing of Harvey Barnes from Leicester City.

Telegraph Sport understands there has been some interest in the French striker, which will be worth around £40m, clubs in Saudi Arabia and Europe have been contacting the player's representatives since the end of last season.

This interest is believed to have intensified over the weekend and Newcastle could now sell the 26-year-old to help fund their own recruitment campaign in this window.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has always maintained that he would like to keep Saint-Maximin but wanted to speak to the player in private to assess whether he remains committed to the Tyneside project.

The winger returned to pre-season training this week . and said he was «happy to be back» on social media.

However, there is some doubt as to whether he has been settled given his reduced role last season and it is speculated that he was offered through intermediaries to several clubs. A decision should be made in the coming days.

A possible bid from Saudi Arabia would come as a surprise given that Newcastle are controlled by the country's State Investment Fund, which recently bought a majority stake in four of the Kingdom's top clubs.

They have already bought a number of this year's high-profile players, including Cristano Ronaldo and former Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves, as well as former Chelsea defender Kalidou Koulibaly.

There is nothing stopping them from also bidding for players Newcastle but the Premier League will ensure that any transfer fee reflects fair market value.

Considering his age and the fact that he still has three years left on his contract, which is reportedly £50 million paid by Al Hilal to Portuguese international Neves, who is the same age as Saint-Maximin but with just one year left on his Wolverhampton contract would be a useful guideline.

< p>Newcastle are struggling with FFP restrictions and several sources have told Telegraph Sport they will have to sell players to balance the books, if not this summer, then definitely in the next two transfer windows.

Sainte-Maximin has been a popular figure at St James' Park since arriving from Nice in the summer of 2019 and has played a huge role in keeping the club in the Premier League under former manager Steve Bruce as well as Howe's first season.

But he only started 12 Premier League games last season and struggled with a hamstring injury. Tellingly, his place will be more in jeopardy if Newcastle complete the signing of Barnes this month.

With that in mind, it would seem to make sense to sell the player to help fund their England bid, which would mean they still had money left over to meet their defensive needs. Barnes is pressing for a move to Howe's side, and it is believed that personal terms have already been agreed as the club discusses a possible fee.

Magpies have already made two bids for Southampton defender Tino Liveramento, but could not agree. The Saints value the 20-year-old for more than £30m, with Newcastle United offering around £21m so far.

However, the player is keen to take the step and sell him . Saint-Maximin could also help break the deadlock in this deal as it would give Newcastle a timely cash injection and reduce their FFP problems.

Newcastle are also looking to sign Isaac Hayden, Ryan Fraser, Karl Darlow, Javier Manquillo and Jeff Hendrick this summer to lower the payroll. Currently, loan deals seem more likely than permanent moves.