Newcastle United's January transfer risk as PSR-boosting deal confirmed

It's been the worst kept secret of Newcastle United's January window but Miguel Almiron is now officially an Atlanta United player. The Paraguayan returns to his former club a hero and the Magpies pocket a cool £11m in the fight against pesky profit and sustainability rules [PSR].

That, in truth, was the main reason why Almiron's departure was always a foregone conclusion this month. Newcastle need to become better sellers, as everyone knows, and have succeeded in offloading a fringe player who has been restricted to just one Premier League start this season.

The winger may have been purchased for £21m six years ago but Newcastle have sold him for significantly more than his 'book value' with less than 18 months left on his deal. That will do their balance sheet the world of good but isn't enough to suddenly unlock unlikely spending between now and Monday's deadline.

As such, the word out of St James' Park is that Almiron's exit won't be followed by a like-for-like replacement arriving, despite Howe's first-team attacking options looking suspiciously thin on the ground. With Harvey Barnes and Callum Wilson working their way back from injury, it is only Anthony Gordon, Alexander Isak, William Osula and Jacob Murphy available for selection.

“It’s not ideal [if Almiron was to leave],” Howe said earlier this month. “But I don’t think it’s ideal from anyone’s viewpoint. From our side we don’t want to lose players, but we know that there’s a reality to PSR and the ongoing managing of that situation.

“Sometimes, as we’ve said many times over the last few weeks, we’re making decisions not based on football, but based on decisions we potentially have to make for the future.”

Howe struck a slightly different tone as Almiron's exit was confirmed on Thursday afternoon, admitting that it was the 'right move at the right time' for the player and his family.

"On behalf of the club, I want to thank Miggy for everything he has given us during our time together," the head coach told Newcastle's official media channels. "He has been the ultimate professional, and he has been a big part of some of our most memorable moments in recent seasons.

"He is a great person and we'll miss him greatly, but this is the right move at the right time for him and his family and we wish them well."

What happens between now and Monday's 11pm deadline could have a big say on how the business end of Newcastle's season unfolds. The north east outfit are just one attacking injury away from being agonisingly short, with the inexperienced Trevan Sanusi the only academy graduate in the frame to make the step up from the club's youth setup.

Howe is firmly aware of this and has issued a 'never say never' mantra on incoming deals towards the end of the window - however the feeling is that it will take more than Almiron's departure to trigger spend in the next few days.

This is all because a big summer spree is being worked on behind the scenes. Newcastle know they have avoided PSR breaches after sailing close to the wind last summer - and their financial picture will look significantly healthier come the summer once a £73m loss drops off their three-year PSR balance sheet.

All that means a nervy end to the current campaign should Almiron not be replaced as Howe - and the fanbase - hope for a hefty dose of injury luck between now and May.