Newcastle transfer news: Eddie Howe admits ‘top class’ attacker set for exit
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has admitted that one of his “top class” options is likely about to leave the club because of PSR concerns.
Miguel Almiron has been linked with a return to Atlanta United in the MLS [The Guardian], but as Mick Brown reported exclusively to Football Insider, the club have previously been frustrated with a lack of interest for their winger.
The 30-year-old joined the Magpies in January 2019 and has gone on to make over 200 appearances for the club.
However, with a number of younger options like Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon, and with Jacob Murphy in good form, Newcastle no longer have the luxury of holding on to players like Almiron.
Speaking in a press conference, Howe said, via Chronicle Live: “The latest is we expect him for training today and in the squad tomorrow. Yeah with him, anything can happen at this moment. He’s been top class. He lives his life through the football club. It’s not ideal but that’s the reality of PSR…
“We don’t want to lose players but we know that there’s a reality with PSR and the ongoing managing of that situation.
“So we’ve said many times over the last few weeks we’ll make more decisions not based on football, but based on decisions that we potentially have to make for the future.”
“He’s happy, a brilliant professional. He will come in every day and his training performances, his focus, his personality has been consistent. I’ve no issues with him on that side.”
Newcastle desperate to keep hold of Alexander Isak
Football Insider Verdict
Almiron has been a loyal servant to the club, and despite a bumpy career at St. James’ Park, will leave as an iconic player.
His start to life in Tyneside was a difficult one, as the Paraguayan struggled to adapt to the pace of the Premier League, but Almiron worked hard and endeared himself to Newcastle’s fans.
His career peaked in the 2022/23 season as a blistering purple-patch helped propel the club to a fourth-place finish as they qualified for the Champions League.
However, with Newcastle now strictly bound by profit and sustainability rules (PSR), the club are being forced to sell some of their fringe players.
Elliott Anderson and Yankuba Minteh left last summer, and Odisseas Vlachodimos joined from Nottingham Forest in deals that were made in order to be PSR compliant.
Despite facing no penalty this year, the looming spectre of meeting the Premier League’s financial rules looms over the Saudi-owned club as they tentatively try and become a title-contender.
Selling Almiron sends the message to Newcastle fans not to fall head-over-heels for one of their players as they may be used to tick financial boxes.
But if his departure makes it easier for the Magpies to see off transfer advances for star striker Alexander Isak, with Arsenal particularly linked, it may be a worthwhile sacrifice.
In other news, Newcastle have lined up a “free” replacement for Callum Wilson.
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