Eddie Howe has admitted he ‘absolutely loved’ a player Newcastle United sold last summer.

Newcastle have gone about building a side in Eddie Howe’s image over the past two and a half years, which has led to plenty of turnover at St James Park.

The Magpies have proven to be astute in the transfer market since the PIF takeover, snapping up stars like Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes, Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon.

But there have inevitably been departures in the Howe era and Allan Saint-Maximin‘s exit divided opinion amongst the Newcastle faithful.

The Frenchman was a real bright spark for Newcastle, particularly during a difficult period under Steve Bruce.

Saint-Maximin eventually left St James’ Park last summer after many felt he wasn’t suited to Howe’s demands. But the Magpies boss has lauded his former player as an ‘absolute maverick’ and admitted he’s unique. 

Howe on Saint-Maximin’s Newcastle exit

Speaking on The Overlap, Gary Neville quizzed the Newcastle boss on Saint-Maximin’s £25 million exit last summer. 

He said: “It was almost like you were saying I want a certain type of player out there on that wing. Is that a fair comment?”

“Not necessarily on that individual circumstance,” Howe responded. “Maxi was a player who I absolutely loved. Yes, he was slightly different to the conventional winger that I have had in the past. An absolute maverick, a magician with the ball but we were accommodating him and his strengths and weaknesses within the team.

“I loved working with him. That was Financial Fair Play was hitting us, so we had to lose Maxi at the moment. I think it was probably his time to leave for him as well. And then, of course, you are looking to replace a player who was a difference maker and you can never go like for like, I don’t know another Allan Saint-Maximin with his qualities, so you have to go with someone different.”

Saint-Maximin’s Newcastle stats

It’s fair to say that Saint-Maximin was a fan favourite at St James’ Park due to his ability to produce a moment of magic from nothing.

While many Newcastle fans understood the decision to offload the winger, some felt he still had a role to play at the club.

The 27-year-old netted 13 times and provided 21 assists in 124 appearances for Newcastle.

Since leaving Tyneside, Saint-Maximin has managed 14 goal involvements in 30 games for Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Ahli.

The blow of losing Saint-Maximin has been softened by Gordon’s form this season, with the Englishman having a hand in 22 goals this term following his January switch from Everton last year.