Newcastle could get official Miguel Almiron update very soon as PIF plan emerges

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Newcastle United could theoretically get an update on the future of Miguel Almiron in the next 24 hours.

After a difficult start to life at St James’ Park, Almiron has enjoyed some great periods of success under Eddie Howe.

However, the 30-year-old attacker now seems to be surplus to requirements despite having two years left on his current deal.

With Newcastle having only just met the Premier League’s three-year PSR £105m allowable loss deadline last month, Almiron appears likely to be one of several possible PSR makeweights.

Saudi Arabia, the homeland of Newcastle owners the Public Investment Fund, has long been touted as an exit route for the Paraguayan.

He was the subject of a £25m bid from Al-Shabab last January but declined a move to the Gulf state.

But the latest developments in the Middle East could reopen that particular door very soon.

Saudi transfer window opens as Almiron linked with move

Contrary to some information, the transfer window in the Saudi Pro League opens not at the start of July but rather on the 17th.

Any pending deals will go through on the 18th of the month, although PIF are believed to have sanctioned a less dramatic summer than in 2023, when nearly £700m was spend on the new signings.

Keith Downie reported earlier in the month via X that an unnamed Saudi club were in talks with Almiron.

If still ongoing, those talks will likely accelerate now given that Pro League clubs can formally make a move.

It is not known whether the club in discussions with Almiron are PIF-owned, but the sovereign wealth fund controls most Saudi clubs and exerts considerable influence over others.

That will raise Newcastle fans hopes that they can secure a PSR-busting fee for their number 24, although any deal will be appraised by the Premier League’s fair market value committee.

• READ MORE NEWCASTLE FINANCE NEWS: PIF set to strike £17m off-pitch deal straight after Amanda Staveley’s Newcastle exit

TBR Analysis: How can PIF-owned clubs benefit Newcastle?

As mentioned, it looks as though PIF would like to exercise more of a light-touch philosophy in the country’s domestic league going forward.

A downturn in the country’s economy means that they will not be going as hard in the transfer market as they previously have done.

What’s more, it was recently announced that six clubs in the first and second tiers of the Saudi pyramid owned by PIF would shortly be privatised, with another eight to follow soon.

However, PIF still have the capacity to deploy their network of clubs to benefit Newcastle, whether that be commercially or in a sporting capacity.

Newcastle have already been on two winter training camps to the Gulf nation, where they have played friendlies against PIF-owned opposition.

And given that the multi-club model is in vogue at present, PIF could also look to create commercial or scouting synergies between Saudi clubs and the mothership in Newcastle.