According to an earlier report from the Sun last summer, West Ham were interested in signing French youth international Allan Saint-Maximin from Ligue 1 outfit OGC Nice. However, a move to the Premier League failed to materialize for the winger, with the Hammers choosing to invest in Felipe Anderson instead.
Saint-Maximin has also attracted interest from the Serie A, with giants AC Milan keen to make a move for the Frenchman who has fired on all cylinders for Nice in the Ligue 1 and Europa League this season. (h/t Calciomercato)
The 21-year-old has established himself as one of the hottest young prospects in the French top flight since his move to Nice from Monaco at the start of the last season. After a wonderful breakthrough season last term which saw him accumulate 3 goals and 7 assists, the Frenchman has continued his fine run this season as well, registering 8 goals and 3 assists in Ligue 1 and Europa League.
Saint-Maximin has earned rave reviews for his blistering pace, wonderful close control, silky dribbling skills and eye for goal, whilst his versatility can also be seen as a great asset. The 21-year-old has been used as a winger or a wide forward on either side and also as an auxiliary striker in a No.10 role.
Known for his agility, acceleration, quick feet and bagful of tricks, Saint-Maximin is renowned for his direct style of football and his ability to run at defences. While he excels at ripping apart the opposition with his insane pace and mesmerizing dribbling skills, the Frenchman also has noticeable end product to his game, with his ability to finish off moves and play key passes making him a dangerous attacker.
To put things into perspective, Aston Villa should make a move for Allan Saint-Maximin next summer. The Lions are still in the race for a place in the promotion playoffs but that is more of a mathematical possibility than anything else.
Villa were expected to be one of the strongest contenders for promotion at the start of the season but a lacklustre and tumultuous campaign involving a change at the helm of affairs has not helped their cause.
Dean Smith should start planning for next season’s promotion push and he needs to bolster his squad with some young blood to enhance his team’s chances. While susceptibility at the back has cost them dear, the Lions also need to reshape their attacking options. To be more precise, they need to get a few lacklustre and ageing attackers off their books and the African duo of Jonathan Kodjia and Albert Adomah should be at the top of that list.
A marquee signing from Bristol City back in 2016, Kodjia struck as many as 19 goals in his debut season at Villa Park but he hasn’t been able to replicate his heroics since then. The 29-year-old Ivorian has accumulated 6 goals and a couple of assists from 31 appearances in the Championship this term but his performances have been well below-par.
Adomah, on the other hand, racked up 14 goals and 5 assists last term but the 31-year-old Ghanaian has struggled for form and fitness this season. He has slipped down the pecking order at Villa Park and the Lions need to offload him to accommodate fresh faces.
And Allan Saint-Maximin, with his youthful exuberance and insane pace, can be a wonderful replacement for the underperforming duo. That said, they should use their financial muscle and go all out to sign the Frenchman next summer.