Alan Shearer reacts as Newcastle ‘to sell international star’
Alan Shearer expects Newcastle United to be open to selling Miguel Almiron in the January transfer window.
This comes after Football Insider reported Newcastle are planning to accept an offer for Miguel Almiron in January in an attempt to raise funds for reinvestment in their squad.
The Paraguay international has played just 103 Premier League minutes this season under Eddie Howe and has started only one league game.
While clubs in the Saudi Pro League and MLS have shown interest in the past, the 30-year-old’s salary has been a stumbling block. River Plate are keen to secure his services, but a deal may not be straightforward according to The Athletic.
Former Magpies striker Shearer told Betfair, via Chronicle Live: “It doesn’t look as if Miguel Almiron’s future is at Newcastle. He’s not been involved at all really, only as a squad player, so that would tell you that he’ll possibly be one of the players that they’ll be looking to offload.
“No one can ever fault his effort at Newcastle. Whenever he’s put the shirt on, he’s always tried his very best. He had that one season where everything was going in that he was touching, but he hasn’t been able to rectify that, and for where Newcastle want to be, it looks as if he’ll be one of the players that they’ll sell to bring some money in.”
Eddie Howe needs new right-sided forward at Newcastle
Football Insider opinion
The current situation marks a sharp decline for Almiron, who was in outstanding form during the 2022/23 Premier League season, recording 11 goals and two assists.
He was named Premier League Player of the Month for October 2022 and won the Premier League Goal of the Month award for a stunning strike against Fulham, cementing his status as one of the league’s top performers at the time. However, he has struggled to replicate that level of impact since.
The Toon Army attacker’s form has sharply declined, managing only three goals and one assist in 33 Premier League appearances last season, with his ability fading after his previous standout campaign.
Prior to that, he had never scored more than five goals in a Premier League season, suggesting 2022/23 was an outlier, and if Newcastle are to challenge for European football they will need a stronger forward and a replacement for the 30-year-old.
A £21-million signing from Atlanta United in 2019 [Sky Sports], the Paraguayan has been a popular figure on Tyneside but as the squad evolves Howe desperately needs an upgrade on the right side of his attack.
Anthony Gordon prefers playing on the left and has not been as effective when deployed on the right. Similarly, Harvey Barnes is more comfortable on the left, and in the match against West Ham, the St. James’ Park boss experimented by placing Brazilian Joelinton there, but he too struggled to make a positive impact.
In other news, a verdict has been issued over Paul Pogba potentially joining Newcastle United.
For more Newcastle news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.