GLASGOW: Newcastle United star Allan Saint-Maximin is edging closer to signing for 鈥渁nother club,鈥� according to the Magpies鈥� head coach Eddie Howe, which is understood to be in 黑料社区.

The enigmatic Frenchman was left out of the Newcastle squad that beat Rangers on Tuesday evening and will not fly to the US for the club鈥檚 pre-season tour. It is understood that Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli are in talks with Newcastle about a deal, that could net the Magpies around $30 million.

And Howe hopes the move will further unlock Newcastle鈥檚 summer transfer activity, with Premier League Financial Fair Play regulations causing a deal logjam in recent weeks.

鈥淎llan is in discussions regarding a move to another club. Nothing is confirmed, nothing is done, it鈥檚 still at the early stages, but that is why he wasn鈥檛 here today,鈥� said Howe post-match.

鈥淭here鈥檚 no immediate plans for him to join us tomorrow (to the US), but we鈥檒l wait and see. These things can change and he could end up with us again, and if that is the case, then we鈥檇 love to welcome him back.鈥�

Howe, who is looking to tie down a deal for England international Harvey Barnes as a replacement, continued: 鈥淲ith Financial Fair Play you sort of have to trade otherwise for us this summer we would have been stuck in a position where we couldn鈥檛 recruit players the other way. That鈥檚 how Financial Fair Play works so we understand that.

鈥淢axi is a top player, we definitely don鈥檛 want to lose him, we wanted to strengthen the group but sometimes these things happen and we have to accept that.

鈥淚t鈥檚 too early to speak about Maxi in the past tense at Newcastle but certainly my respect and love for him is probably the same as the supporters. The supporters love him, we love him but if he does go it鈥檒l be a really difficult moment for all of us.鈥�

Invited up for the testimonial of Rangers鈥� and Scotland鈥檚 legend Allan McGregor, Newcastle ran out 2-1 winners at their potential Champions League foes.

The club鈥檚 only major, first-team signing of the summer to date, Sandro Tonali made his full debut from the off, as the Magpies鈥� international contingent returned from an extended summer break.

And the Italian, a $70 million signing from AC Milan, had a hand in the opener on the night. A zipped pass into Elliot Anderson set the Geordie free to maraud. Anderson then slid into the path of Miguel Almiron, who rolled in past McGregor.

In an encounter that very much resembled attack versus defense, the Magpies dominated proceedings in the opening 45 and but for some resolute defending should easily have added to their one-goal advantage.

When you do not capitalize, however, things can change very quickly in football and after a raft of changes for both sides, the Gers looked a different unit as the game wore on.

And they grabbed an equalizer when a Karl Darlow error, placing a pass into Bruno Guimaraes under pressure, was jumped on by Sam Lammers, who tucked in past the red-faced, substitute goalkeeper.

Having dominated, it would have been remiss of Newcastle not to have the final say, and sub Alexander Isak turned Johnly Yfeko inside out before digging out a cross on to the head of Harrison Ashby for the winner, with just four minutes to play.

With two wins out of two, the Magpies now head to the US for the Premier League Summer Series, where Aston Villa, Chelsea and Brighton and Hove Albion await them in Philadelphia, Atlanta and New Jersey.

Howe hopes to have the Barnes deal done so he can join the squad in the US.

鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 change our situation massively,鈥� he said of any deal for Saint-Maximin. 鈥淏ut this has enabled us to recruit Sandro and hopefully a couple more players. But who knows.鈥�