According to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs, Newcastle United winger Miguel Almiron will now stay on Tyneside for the rest of the season after deciding to reject an offer to join Saudi Pro League club Al-Shabab.
Newcastle are one of many clubs who have not done a great deal of significant business in the January transfer window as Financial Fair Play regulations continue to worry several Premier League outfits.
The Magpies did secure a future prospect in 18-year-old Alfie Harrison from Manchester City earlier this month, but it is more likely that Harrison will add to the youth set-up as opposed to competing for a first-team spot immediately.
Despite many injury issues plaguing the club this season so far, it has been impossible to add significant depth to the squad due to the strict FFP regulations, and it is now looking like, with just two days left to go, Newcastle will leave the acquisition of any new additions until the summer.
It was thought that the Tyneside giants might seek to offload some of their assets in an attempt to bolster funds for future signings, which led to rumours of departures for Kieran Trippier, Callum Wilson, and Miguel Almiron, with the latter seemingly the closest to having his day numbers at St James’ Park.
It was reported that Newcastle and Al-Shabab were working on a deal for Almiron to make the move to Saudi Arabia, but now it looks like that deal has completely fallen through and the Paraguayan international will remain in the North East.
Transfer expert Ben Jacobs took to Twitter/X this afternoon to confirm:
“Miguel Almiron to Al-Shabab now definitely off. Al-Shabab had reached a verbal agreement with Newcastle following a week of talks, but Almiron chose not to make the move. As a result, Al-Shabab never sent their formal offer.”
Should Newcastle have sold Miguel Almiron?
There is no doubt that boosting transfer funds would have been ideal for the Magpies this month, however, availability of players who have the experience to comfortably operate in some of the most influential roles on the pitch has been like gold dust for the club this season.
The mounting injuries and Sandro Tonali’s ban have both contributed to Newcastle’s failure to maintain to the high standards set last season when the side finished fourth in the Premier League and secured their first cup final in over two decades.
As a result, further depleting the depth of the squad this month would’ve been an absolute nightmare, especially at this late stage of the market with only around 48 hours left to get deals done.
Whilst perhaps not displaying the formidable form in the forward line he had shown last season, Almiron has still been an asset that can deliver moments of magic when given the opportunity.
The 29-year-old has found the back of the net five times and registered two assists in all competitions so far this season and there is definitely room for improvement and consistency in the winger’s performances going forward.
With that being said, a near miss in being shipped off to the Saudi Pro League could be exactly the push to perform that Almiron needs to start being more prolific and creative from the right flank and we expect to see him starting against Aston Villa this evening.
