Newcastle United had to sell Miguel Almiron for ‘PSR-related' reasons

New York Times

31-01-2025

Newcastle United had to sell Miguel Almiron for 'PSR-related' reasons and Eddie Howe admits the Paraguayan's departure has left him 'light' in attacking areas, with no reinforcements forecast this month.
The head coach believes the £11million ($13.5m) transfer back to Atlanta United is a deal that suits Almiron and the club and accepts that losing the 30-year-old was necessary.
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However, with only Jacob Murphy left as an out-and-out right-winger within the squad, Howe is going to be forced to look at alternative 'solutions' to provide cover and competition down that flank.
Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes, and Joelinton have been trialled on the right already this season, with mixed success, while Howe namechecked William Osula as a potential option, and he will also explore whether any academy players, such as Trevan Sanusi, warrant an opportunity.
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'Yes. It's probably not ideal for us in this moment to be light in this position,' Howe said of Almiron's exit. 'But it is what it is and I've got no problem dealing with what I know and trying to make the best of the situation. We'll look at solutions and players in different positions if we need to. It's my job to find solutions if it happens.'
Pushed as to why the Almiron sale was required, Howe replied: 'PSR-related. That's why we needed to do it.'
Howe does not expect any incomings at senior level before next Monday's transfer deadline, with the head coach insisting that he was always aware that Newcastle were unlikely to be active due to the constraints of the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules (PSR).
'We knew this window, barring something huge happening that we didn't expect, would be a window we didn't recruit in,' Howe said. 'I've said that from the outset and despite being linked with numerous players, that's still the case. We're not actively looking to recruit at this stage.'
However, despite Matt Targett, Sean Longstaff, and Lloyd Kelly attracting interest, Howe does not foresee any further departures.
'As we stand, currently, I don't,' Howe said of potential exits. 'Things can change. As we stand at the moment, I expect the squad to remain the same.'
Martin Dubravka attracted interest from Al Shabab in Saudi Arabia earlier in the window, but discussions are ongoing with the Slovakia international behind the scenes and he will not leave before the deadline.
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'Martin won't leave,' Howe said. 'We're in discussions with Martin about a new contract. Hopefully there'll be a swift conclusion there. He's not sought any certainties on his place beyond trying to stay in the team and do well.'
Osula, meanwhile, has attracted some loan interest, but the 21-year-old will not be permitted to leave temporarily either, with Howe believing he is best served training with elite players on Tyneside.
'I see that balance very firmly at the moment that he needs to be with us, he needs the training, he needs the understanding that we need to give him,' Howe said. 'He is a multi-talented player, he has played wide before and that's an option we could look at.
'Looking at him as a striker, he's competing with Alex (Isak), which you wouldn't necessarily want, but he is also working with two of the best strikers you could want. (He's) very much here at the moment.'
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