ALLAN SAINT-MAXIMIN has urged Newcastle to land Joe Willock on a permanent deal.
The Arsenal loanee, 21, has scored in his last six consecutive matches to fire Toon to Premier League safety.
Saint-Maximin, undoubtedly Newcastle’s shining light in a disappointing campaign, was also speaking openly about his own future.
Newcastle boss Steve Bruce said interest in Saint-Maximin, 24, is ‘inevitable’ this summer.
And whilst the tricky winger admitted he is eager to win trophies, he suggested landing the quality of Willock will help convince him to stay.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “The club has given me everything, the opportunity for me to show to everyone my quality in the Premier League.
“They gave me the opportunity to feel really comfortable in Newcastle.
“I feel really good with everyone – players, the coach, the fans. When they asked me about a new deal, I feel that I have to give. Sometimes when people give you something, you have to give back.
“But before I signed it, I had always said Newcastle should not be fighting against relegation every year.
“We have to fight for the top 10, it’s what the supporters deserve.
“Sometimes you have to think about your future, you can see Leicester winning the FA Cup, you play football to win trophies, not to fight to stay up.
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“We have to buy more players like Joe Willock, he can be really great for the team and for myself, I am 24 years old, and have to think about the national team, about winning trophies, and hope the club can give me that.”
Saint-Maximin also compared his relationship on the field with Willock to that of lethal Tottenham pair Harry Kane and Heung-min Son.
He added: “My relationship is really good with Joe inside and outside the pitch, and you can see how that helps a team when you have players like that – like Harry Kane and Heung-min Son at Tottenham.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk