Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe took a £39million gamble in the 2023 summer transfer window.
PSR has proven to be a major issue for Newcastle United, with the club needing to sell before they buy.
That was the case in 2023, as the Magpies tried to sign Tino Livramento from Southampton.
To be able to afford him, someone else needed to leave. That player ended up being Allan Saint-Maximin, who joined Al-Ahli for £23million.
That allowed Livramento to join Newcastle, while Eddie Howe also needed to replace the maverick winger.
Harvey Barnes surpasses Allan Saint-Maximin at Newcastle United
To replace Saint-Maximin, Newcastle United spent £39million on Harvey Barnes.
He arrived as a very different player to Saint-Maximin. While Saint-Maximin excited fans with his insane dribbling ability and skill, Barnes was all about end product.
That end product is why Howe wanted Barnes at St James’ Park, and his decision to bring him to the club in place of Saint-Maximin has paid off.
Barnes was excellent against Man United on Sunday, scoring twice in a 4-1 win.
His brace means that Barnes now has 13 goals in 47 Premier League appearances. In comparison, Saint-Maximin scored 12 goals in 111 Premier League appearances for the club.
Of course, this is not to diminish Maxi’s ability. He spent a lot of his Toon career playing in a very different Newcastle United team. During the Steve Bruce era, he was the Magpies’ only hope at times.
But Howe wanted a player with more end product. It is a cliché, but goals win games, and Harvey Barnes is a player who scores goals. Howe has called Barnes ‘unique’ in the past, and it is certainly rare to find a wide player who is such a natural finisher.
He is enjoying an excellent run of form right now, and long may it continue. The more goals he scores, the more he justifies Howe’s decision to sign him.
Where is Allan Saint-Maximin now?
Saint-Maximin left Newcastle United to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli in the summer of 2023.
During his first season with the club, he scored four goals and provided 10 assists, playing alongside the likes of Riyad Mahrez and Roberto Firmino.
However, his career in Saudi Arabia came to a temporary end last summer.
Saint-Maximin left Al-Ahli, joining Fenerbahce on loan. He is playing in Istanbul for Jose Mourinho, with Saint-Maximin currently boasting three goals and five assists from 30 appearances.
With his loan spell set to end soon, it is unclear what the future holds for the former Newcastle United number 10.
