Allan Saint-Maximin: Transfers, Salary, Controversies 2025

If you’ve followed football transfers in the past two years, you’ve probably seen Allan Saint-Maximin’s name pop up in some wild contexts — from a Newcastle fan favorite to a Saudi league move, a loan in Turkey, a short stint in Mexico, and now back to France with RC Lens. His journey is a story of explosive dribbling, off-pitch controversy, and a sharp decline in playing time. Here’s what happened, when, and what’s next for the 28-year-old winger.

Full name: Allan Irénée Saint-Maximin ·
Date of birth: 12 March 1997 ·
Current club: RC Lens (Ligue 1) ·
Position: Left winger ·
Market value (2025): €10.00m (Transfermarkt)

Twelve facts, one pattern: Saint-Maximin’s career has become a whirlwind of club changes, each tied to controversy or financial complications.

Is Allan Saint-Maximin leaving Newcastle?

Saint-Maximin left Newcastle United in July 2023, transferring to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli. The deal, reported at around £23 million by Geordie Boot Boys (fan site), sparked controversy because both Newcastle and Al-Ahli are owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), raising suspicions of an inflated fee. My Football Facts (football data site) noted that Premier League clubs voiced concerns about the transfer’s fair market value.

When did Saint-Maximin leave Newcastle?

• He was officially sold on 30 July 2023, ending a four-year spell at St James’ Park during which he made 124 appearances and became a fan favorite for his dazzling dribbling (ESPN).

Which club did Saint-Maximin join after Newcastle?

• Al-Ahli in the Saudi Pro League, where he reunited with former Premier League players like Riyad Mahrez (Geordie Boot Boys).

The implication: The PIF-linked transfer fee raised eyebrows across English football, yet no official investigation followed — leaving the question of market manipulation unanswered.

Why is Allan Saint-Maximin not playing?

Saint-Maximin’s game time has been erratic since leaving Newcastle. A series of moves — each shorter than the last — have kept him off the pitch regularly.

What happened at Fenerbahce with Saint-Maximin?

Loaned to Fenerbahce for the 2024-25 season, Saint-Maximin reportedly fell out with manager Jose Mourinho. According to Geordie Boot Boys, he accused Mourinho of unfair treatment and the loan was cut short in early 2025. Mourinho’s camp denied the claims, but no public investigation ensued.

Did Saint-Maximin leave Club America due to racism?

Yes. After a brief spell in Mexico, Saint-Maximin left Club America in mid-2025, alleging that his daughters were racially abused. ESPN (sports news) reported that Club America issued a statement condemning discrimination and supporting the player and his family. He had made 16 appearances and scored 3 goals for the club.

The pattern: Each departure — from Newcastle, Fenerbahce, and Club America — involved off-field conflict rather than on-pitch performance, painting a picture of a player who repeatedly finds himself in high-drama situations.

How much does Allan Saint-Maximin make a year?

At Newcastle, Saint-Maximin earned an estimated £90,000 per week, or roughly £4.7 million annually (My Football Facts). His move to Al-Ahli reportedly came with a significant raise, although exact figures were not disclosed publicly. The transfer fee controversy — some sources said £23 million, others £30 million — makes his total compensation package difficult to pin down.

What is Saint-Maximin’s salary at Al-Ahli?

• No official number was published, but industry estimates suggest a weekly wage in the range of £150,000–£200,000 based on Saudi Pro League patterns for players of his profile.

How does his Newcastle salary compare?

• His Newcastle wage placed him among the higher earners at the club, though after the Saudi takeover, the wage scale shifted dramatically.

The trade-off: Saint-Maximin’s salary surged with the Al-Ahli move, but at the cost of competitive exposure and consistent playing time in Europe’s top leagues.

What this means: Saint-Maximin’s financial gain came with career risks that he is still managing.

How many kids does Allan Saint-Maximin have?

Allan Saint-Maximin has two children. He is married, though his wife’s name is not widely publicized. In his Instagram post about leaving Club America, he stated that his daughters were the victims of racist attacks, which prompted his exit (ESPN).

What is known about Allan Saint-Maximin’s family?

• He keeps his personal life relatively private, but his daughter’s experience in Mexico is the most public family-related event in his career.

The catch: While Saint-Maximin’s family life is private, it has become entangled with his professional decisions in a way few players experience.

What happened with Saint-Maximin and Fenerbahce?

Saint-Maximin’s loan at Fenerbahce ended in disaster. After reportedly accusing manager Jose Mourinho of mistreatment, his loan was terminated early. The club did not exercise its purchase option. According to Geordie Boot Boys, this left Al-Ahli scrambling to find a new destination for the winger, eventually leading to a brief stint at Club America.

Why did Saint-Maximin accuse Mourinho?

• Saint-Maximin claimed he was frozen out of the squad unfairly. Mourinho publicly denied any personal vendetta, but the player’s social media posts suggested a deep rift.

Was the Fenerbahce loan terminated early?

• Yes, the loan was cut short in early 2025, months before the scheduled end of the season.

What this means: The Fenerbahce episode solidified Saint-Maximin’s reputation as a player who clashes with authority figures, making European clubs cautious about signing him.

Quotes and statements

“The insults against my daughters are unacceptable. I have left the club to protect them.”

— Allan Saint-Maximin, via ESPN

“Club America condemns all acts of discrimination and stands in solidarity with Allan Saint-Maximin and his family.”

— Club America statement, reported by ESPN

The sum of Saint-Maximin’s moves since 2023 reveals a pattern: each new club offers a fresh start, but controversy seems to catch up quickly. For RC Lens, the gamble is clear — a gifted winger on a short-term deal with a history of turbulence. For Saint-Maximin, the choice is just as stark: settle at Lens and rebuild his reputation, or keep moving and risk drifting further from the spotlight.