NEWCASTLE UNITED are set to bolster their transfer kitty by nearly ten million quid – but it’ll stay locked up until the summer.
Miguel Almiron has left the North East and is jetting to America today to seal his return to former club Atlanta.
ReutersMiguel Almiron said his goodbyes after the Southampton match[/caption]
The Magpies have accepted a £9.5million offer from the MLS side for the Paraguayan winger, 30.
Almiron is now Stateside to undergo a medical having already agreed personal terms.
However, despite his departure, Eddie Howe still looks unlikely to be able to use the money and get a replacement before next Monday.
Newcastle’s recruitment team have been watching right-wingers for months and have come up with a long list of potential new signings.
Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo is a big favourite and regularly has Toon scouts in attendance.
Although, despite Howe admitting that he would like at least one new addition in January, he looks certain to have to make do with what he has left after the exit of Almiron.
Newcastle’s need to comply with PSR means that the board at St James’ are unlikely to give the green light to any significant new incoming.
That means that the cash will be saved and will instead go towards Howe’s summer transfer kitty.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS
The departure of Almiron, who has agreed a four-and-a-half year contract with Atlanta, means Howe currently only has two fit specialised wingers in Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon with Harvey Barnes sidelined for at least another fortnight.
Howe stressed last week the importance he felt adding new players to his squad.
He said: “When you look at our squad at the moment, we’re a little bit heavy on defenders, which is not a negative thing. But the balance is slightly off.
“Our attacking players, we have lost Harvey and Callum [Wilson]. So our attacking options from the bench is slightly limited. We have real quality in a lot of positions, just maybe not in that top line. And when you’re looking to make attacking subs and change the game, they’re the ones that you want. That is a slight issue for us.
“But in terms of the quality of the squad and players we have – we have 20 fit players available – I think they’re outstanding and our squad is really strong.
“The second point I want to make to the question is about freshness of the squad. When you go consecutive windows without freshening the group in any major way, you could run into difficult waters with staleness. I think healthy rotation of the squad with transfers in and out is important.”
Almiron, meanwhile, received a fine send-off from the travelling Toon Army when he came off the bench in the closing stages of Saturday’s 3-1 win at Southampton.
That was his 223rd appearance for the Magpies – who signed him back in 2019 for £21m from Atlanta.
Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
