The former Man Utd man that could resolve Newcastle United's long-term issue

Newcastle United need to find a long-term solution to a problem area over the next two transfer windows - and their ability to do so could well depend on the future of Miguel Almirón.

Despite some promising moments, the former Atlanta United star never really seemed comfortable with life working under Steve Bruce and seemed to undergo something of a resurgence in fortunes when Eddie Howe was named as Magpies manager in November 2021. After becoming a trusted figure under the current United boss during the latter stages of the campaign, Almirón burst into life during the following season in stunning fashion as he played an integral role in helping Newcastle see off the challenge of Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur to secure a return to the Champions League for the first time in two decades. After getting off the mark in a 3-3 home draw with champions Manchester City on a day when the Magpies seemed to give more than a hint of the intensity and energy that would fire them back towards European football’s top tier, Almirón hit a rich vein of form that saw him return his best figures in English football.

One particular run of form saw the Paraguayan net eight goals in nine games and that included some truly memorable efforts against the likes of Fulham, Aston Villa and Brentford. Despite seeing his season disrupted by a troublesome thigh problem, Almirón ended the campaign with eleven goals and four assists in 41 appearances in all competitions. He struggled to hit those heights last season but there were some memorable moments, none more so that when the winger opened the scoring with a neat finish in the 4-1 home win against Paris Saint-Germain on a night when St James Park rocked and Howe’s men announced their return to the Champions League in some style. Newcastle’s ongoing battle with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability regulations saw Almiron strongly linked with moves to Saudi Arabia and the MLS during last year’s January transfer window and that talk continued throughout the summer. Yet the winger remains part of Howe’s squad, despite failing to make a Premier League start during the first two months of the season and seeing his only starts come in Carabao Cup wins against AFC Wimbledon and Nottingham Forest.

After describing himself as “desperate” to retain Almirón’s services ahead of the season, Magpies boss Howe praised the former Atlanta United star for his performance in the win over Wimbledon, saying: "I thought Miggy was probably our standout performer creatively. He had two good halves, obviously created the goal for us. He had good energy, linked well especially in the second half. I was pleased with him. He has a big part to play. Today everyone fit and available was in the squad. I'm delighted with Miggy."

Despite that praise, with Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy seemingly sitting above Almirón in Howe’s thinking, it would make sense for Newcastle and their former record signing to accept his time on Tyneside is drawing to a close. The need to make a decision is only enhanced by the fact the winger will enter the final 18 months of his current contract of St James Park in the new year. Newcastle are known to be keen to add a wide player to their squad during the January transfer window and are said to be looking to revisit their interest in Nottingham Forest star Anthony Elanga after failing with a late bid for the Sweden international on the final day of the summer transfer window.

At 22-years-old, the former Manchester United star fits into the age range where Newcastle tend to find their big money buys, as proven by the additions of the likes of Sven Botman, Bruno Guimarães, Anthony Gordon and Elanga’s international team-mate Alexander Isak. Forest are highly likely to demand a sizeable fee for the winger given he still has just under four years remaining on his contract at the City Ground - but Newcastle have proven they will go above and beyond if they feel a player is the right fit in the long-term. Their move for Gordon, which took several twists and turns before reaching a successful conclusion, is clear evidence of their stance on big money deals. Elanga has the pace, energy and intensity Howe demands in his players but also shows a willingness to provide support for his defence and do the somewhat unfashionable side of being a winger. In scoring five goals and providing ten assists in 47 appearances, Elanga also averages a goal involvement in just over every three games - although that figure could be improved in a similar fashion to the output returned by Gordon last season.

Forest may well need some convincing to authorise the sale of one of their key plans - but the reasoning behind Newcastle’s thinking is clear to see as they look to add a long-term solution to their options in wide areas.