Miguel Almiron
Miguel Almiron is popular with Newcastle supporters but has had very limited opportunities
Miguel Almiron will be allowed to leave Newcastle United in January as the Paraguay international is keen for a new challenge after fading out of Eddie Howe’s first-team plans.
Almiron was close to leaving in the summer after almost five years on Tyneside, but potential moves fell through. However, Almiron has barely played this season and has made just seven appearances, mainly as a substitute.
The 30-year-old has not caused any problems for Howe, but there is an acceptance that the time is right for the winger to find a new club. Whether there is someone willing to match the asking price remains to be seen but there is interest in the player from clubs abroad including Saudi Arabia and America.
Newcastle are still wrestling with profit and sustainability compliance issues and if they can find a buyer for Almiron it will give more flexibility to recruit either a right-sided forward as a direct replacement or a right-sided centre-back.
A £21 million signing from Atalanta in 2019, Almiron has been a popular figure on Tyneside but as the squad evolve, Newcastle desperately need an upgrade on the right side of their attack.
Anthony Gordon prefers to play on the left, and has not carried the same threat when starting on the right. Harvey Barnes also prefers to play on the left and Howe has struggled to find a solution on the right flank, deploying Brazilian Joelinton there against West Hamm, when he also struggled to make a positive impact on the game.
Newcastle are playing down their chances of signing anyone in the January window but are looking at loans with an obligation to buy as well as permanent deals.
Sporting director Paul Mitchell admitted he found the summer window difficult as he only arrived in July and failed in a long pursuit of Marc Guehi, the Crystal Palace defender.
It is not thought that deal will be revived in January unless Crystal Palace make it clear they are willing to sell for a far more reasonable asking price of around £50 million.