Newcastle agree £16.5m deal for Nice winger Allan Saint-Maximin as Steve Bruce closes on second major Toon transfer

NEWCASTLE are close to completing a £16.5million deal for Allan Saint-Maximin.

The Toon finally made a breakthrough on Thursday in their talks with Nice over their French winger.

And Saint-Maximin, 22, is now expected to travel to Tyneside for a medical before signing a long-term deal.

The France Under-21 international will cost an initial £16.5m but that will rise to £20m if certain targets are met.

Saint-Maximin would become Newcastle’s second major arrival this summer after the £40m club-record buy of Brazilian striker Joelinton.

It is a huge boost for boss Steve Bruce, who has been desperate to strengthen his forward line.

But the Magpies manager still wants up to three more signings and is especially targeting full-backs.

The ex-Sheffield Wednesday chief also wants to tie Jonjo Shelvey, Matt Ritchie, Isaac Hayden and Martin Dubravka to new contracts once the transfer window shuts.

FOUR TO STAY

Ex-England midfielder Shelvey was expected to leave if Rafa Benitez had stayed in charge.

But the 27-year-old, who has two years left on his current deal, has thrived with a fresh start under Bruce.

Scotland and former Bournemouth winger Ritchie, 29, has also revived his fortunes since Bruce’s arrival.

And he too is now tipped to extend his current contract beyond 2021.

Bruce also hopes to keep ex-England Under-21 midfielder Hayden longer than the two years remaining on his deal.

The 24-year-old was expected to join a club down south this summer to be nearer his family.

But Bruce hopes the anchorman – who he bossed at Hull City – can be talked round.

Meanwhile, 30-year-old Slovakia keeper Dubravka whose contract runs until 2022, has impressed since joining from Sparta Prague last summer.