Newcastle United are expected to explore selling several players during the upcoming January transfer window, with Miguel Almirón emerging as the most likely departure but three more veterans more likely than not to leave Tyneside in a matter of weeks.
According to Chris Waugh, the Paraguayan winger is one of four players the club is open to offloading, alongside Kieran Trippier, Callum Wilson, and Martin Dubravka, as they look to reduce their wage bill and comply with the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
“Newcastle are looking to sell players in the January window as they hoped to do during the summer,” Waugh wrote. “While Yankuba Minteh and Elliot Anderson left in June, Almiron, Trippier, Callum Wilson and Martin Dubravka were among others who could have gone, had suitable offers been received.”
Almirón’s situation stands out due to his lack of playing time this season. He has only featured for 103 minutes in the Premier League, making him a clear candidate for departure as long as someone calls calling for the South American.
“Almiron is the one who appears the most likely to depart, with River Plate of Argentina among those interested, though he has also been available for the past two windows and has failed to secure a move,” Waugh wrote.
The 30-year-old is on a significant salary, and Newcastle are keen to ease their wage burden following Anthony Gordon’s recent contract extension, which included a huge pay increase.
“Following Gordon’s contract extension, which included a significant salary boost for him, Newcastle need to decrease their wage bill as it is a constant in their PSR calculation,” Waugh reported.
While Trippier and Wilson are also high earners who could theoretically be moved, their roles within the squad make them less likely candidates for a mid-season move if other sales, such as Almirón’s, are completed.
All things considered, Almirón is viewed as a player whose departure could help Newcastle generate funds without significantly weakening the first team as currently constructed and deployed.
“The 30-year-old Paraguayan would be permitted to move on if a decent offer arrives,” Waugh wrote. “Ideally, Newcastle need to bring in some funds before June 30, and selling a fringe player such as him should satisfy PSR.”