Newcastle: £21m star could leave St James’ Park
Newcastle United will offload Miguel Almiron in the summer and could potentially look to replace the creative midfielder with Manchester United ace Jesse Lingard, according to Sky Sports reporter Keith Downie.
Eddie Howe was appointed as the Magpies’ head coach last November and he will see the upcoming transfer window as an ideal opportunity to put his own stamp on the St James’ Park squad.
Howe is reportedly planning a major overhaul of his squad and among those who will be allowed to leave Tyneside is Almiron.
It is understood that Newcastle are open to offers in the region of £15million as they are eager to free up space on the wage bill and in their squad, allowing for reinforcements to be brought in instead.
The Magpies broke their record transfer fee in order to prise Almiron away from Major League Soccer franchise Atlanta United, with £21million being enough to strike a deal.
Although Almiron has been on Newcastle’s books for more than three years, the 43-cap Paraguay international has failed to be as prolific as the club would have hoped.
The 28-year-old has only found the back of the net 14 times and recorded a further five assists, while he finally claimed his first goal of the campaign during last night’s win over Crystal Palace.
Downie believes Almiron’s days at Newcastle are numbered as he will be sold during the summer transfer window.
The creative midfielder’s £75,000-per-week contract still has more than two years to run, so it is not necessarily a foregone conclusion that he will be waving goodbye to St James’ Park in a matter of months.
But Downie understands Almiron, who was previously described by former Premier League right-back Danny Mills as a ‘problem’ for Newcastle, will be on the move and hints the Magpies could see Manchester United ace Lingard as a potential replacement.
The Sky Sports reporter told GIVEMESPORT: “I expect Miguel Almiron to go in the summer, so they will want a replacement for him and he obviously plays in that position.”
Lingard appears to be on the brink of leaving boyhood club Manchester United as his £80,000-per-week contract will expire in the summer.
That means the 32-cap England international could be welcomed to St James’ Park without having to part with a transfer fee.
Having battled it out with Premier League rivals West Ham United in January, Newcastle are likely to return for Lingard when his Old Trafford contract runs out.
