· December 20 2024, 17:33
The football world is currently preparing to enter silly season. The congested fixture list of the Christmas period is up first followed by the madness of the January transfer window in which Newcastle United are heavily expected to be active.
Newcastle are more likely to be active in terms of selling players next month and are more likely to wait until the summer to do any big incoming business.
There are a couple of first-team players at Newcastle who are on the verge of an exit with one in particular still clinging on by his fingernails.
Miguel Almiron has seen several possible moves break down in the past year and is once again expected to be one of the players the club tries to move on next month.
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Miguel Almiron could be on the move
Eddie Howe says he will treat Miguel Almiron with respect for as long as he's at the club
Eddie Howe even spoke to The Chronicle about Miggy on Friday, acknowledging that he's a player linked with an exit, but he also spoke very well of Almiron and his professionalism throughout a difficult season surrounded by speculation.
"Miggy is still Miggy in absolutely every way! And I mean that as a compliment. He's smiley, happy and focused. He is professional and an unbelievable guy.
"I can't praise him and his professionalism enough this season in what has been a difficult season for him because he has not had the minutes he would have wanted. He has never lacked that in what he has shown for us. Everything that he has delivered for us we know he is ready to play if needed.
"I think again the other night when he came on he showed his qualities. I have never doubted his qualities for a second. Yes, there has been a lot of speculation on his future for a while, and all I will say to any player who is contracted here and absolutely loved like Miggy is that my only focus is Miggy being here and showing him the respect he deserves for his contributions for Newcastle."
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Miggy won't be short of options in January
Charlotte FC from the MLS are still believed to be keen on buying Almiron in January while three Premier League clubs have their eyes on a loan move for the 30-year-old.
Obviously, the club's position would be that they'd prefer a sale which brings some money back into the club and frees up some wages without having to worry about what to do when he returns.
That being said, Miggy has a robot-strength grip on the frame of that exit door and could be difficult to shift.