TalkSPORT pundit says Bale improves Newcastle, but Saint-Maximin is better

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Jamie O’Hara has told TalkSPORT on Tuesday evening that Real Madrid outcast Gareth Bale would improve Newcastle. However, during an exchange with Dean Saunders – he says Allan Saint-Maximin is better.

Newcastle are closing in on their second signing of the January window, and the Saudi ownership – in the form of Burnley centre-forward Chris Wood. It comes after Kieran Trippier joined the club from Atletico Madrid.

The Toon are expected to make more signings, but Wood was an important one with Callum Wilson injured – ahead of Saturday’s grudge match against Watford. Bale, meanwhile, is struggling to get a game at Madrid.

Starting the first three La Liga games of the season and scoring once, Bale has since suffered calf, back and knee injuries – and a positive test. He is out of contract in June, and O’Hara considered a potential move to Tyneside.

“I think he would improve Newcastle,” O’Hara said. “I watched Gareth Bale a lot last season, when we had him at Spurs. We had him on loan, everyone thought we were going to get the Bale of old, and he isn’t that.

“He is a completely different player. He’s not best than Saint-Maximin, no. You can’t compare their careers, but what they’re producing this season – you play Saint-Maximin over Bale. He’s a star player in a bad team.”

O’Hara on Bale and Saint-Maximin: Could Newcastle go for Welshman?

Bale returned to training in December and was on the bench for a 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid. But a back injury has ruled him out of Madrid’s first two league games of January. He needs a fresh start, a move soon.

But with Bale earning enormous wages at Madrid, the chances of a permanent exit this month are incredibly unlikely. With his injury, the chances of passing a medical could also be unlikely.

However, there is no reason why a loan move could not come about in the coming days and weeks – with the Welshman needing game time. He did score 16 goals for Tottenham while on loan during 2020-21, 11 in the Premier League.