PLAYER BATTLE;Newcastle may not get the full £21m they paid

Newcastle United are in no mood to let Miguel Almiron leave on the cheap this summer with Eddie Howe still viewing the winger as a key member of his St James’ Park squad.

Chronicle Live reported earlier on the fact any potential move to MLS side Charlotte FC was off due to the north American outfit being unable to meet Newcastle’s financial demands. This is hardly surprising given the league record arrival stands at $16million [£12.5m] and Charlotte themselves have never spent more than $8m [£6.25m] on an incoming player.

Newcastle may not get the full £21m they paid Atlanta United back in 2019 but there is zero appetite to sell Almiron for a substantially lower fee given his top flight experience and importance to Howe’s setup. An MLS move was always a complicated one to pull off and with that particular transfer window closing at 5am BST on Thursday, August 15, an exit this summer becomes even more unlikely.

Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab, who are not one of four Public Investment Fund-owned [PIF] clubs in the division, enquired about Almiron back in January but the player did not want to leave Tyneside. Newcastle were also in the midst of a lengthy injury crisis and Howe wasn’t keen on losing the winger, Kieran Trippier or Callum Wilson amid interest in the senior trio.