EDDIE HOWE is confident Miguel Almiron will not be leaving Newcastle United this month, but the Magpies boss admitted he does not envisage making any signings of his own ahead of Thursday night’s transfer deadline.
Almiron has been heavily linked with a possible move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Shabab in the last week, with talks having taken place, but the Saudi Pro League transfer window closed earlier today with the Paraguayan still part of the Newcastle squad.
Having recovered from the illness that kept him out of Saturday’s FA Cup win at Fulham, Almiron was a first-half replacement for the injured Alexander Isak as Newcastle beat Aston Villa 3-1 tonight, with his cross helping set up the Alex Moreno own goal that put the Magpies three goals clear at the start of the second half.
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Howe said: “Yes, I’m confident that he (Almiron) will stay now, and I’m delighted because he’s such an important player.
“What a person and professional he is. He’s had a lot of speculation that’s come from the media, but it’s not affected him at all.
“He didn’t feel anywhere his best physically today, but he put himself on the pitch for the team and performed really well.”
With Bayern Munich having ended their interest in Kieran Trippier, and Callum Wilson unlikely to be sold as he continues to recover from injury, it now looks likely that Newcastle will not be selling anyone this month.
That almost certainly means they will not be bringing anyone in either, despite Alexander Isak having suffered a groin injury in tonight’s win over Villa.
Howe said: “I expect to be finished for the window. I think there’s now very little time left to be able to do anything, whether in or out. That’s where it stands.
“I don’t think we have the ability to do anything. As far as I know at the moment, there’s nothing going to happen, although there’s still time left.”
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