Miguel Almiron's Newcastle United exit appears closer than ever with the Paraguayan set to end his six-year association on Tyneside to make an emotional return to former club Atlanta United. The sale, should it go through in the coming days, would represent a big boost to the Magpies' coffers, while also leaving the club's boardroom chiefs with a decision to make.

Last summer saw Newcastle panic sell Elliot Anderson and Yankuba for a combined £65m. Two bright, young talents who had a future at St James' Park. This deal is different in that Almiron now represents a fringe player in Eddie Howe's squad, despite the boss' continued admiration for the player, and a mooted fee of £10m would be welcomed on Tyneside.

It is almost universally agreed that it is time for Almiron to move on - but what comes next, however, is up for debate. Newcastle are taking a long-term approach to transfers these days as they continue to wrestle with the demands of PSR, which could lead to no replacement being signed until the summer.

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That feels like a mistake waiting to happen for a team not blessed with squad depth and in the middle of an exciting top four push.

Howe will want his squad replenished in the event of Almiron leaving but Newcastle chiefs know their financial picture is set to look remarkably healthier come July. This, due to the fact that if the north east outfit turn even a minuscule profit of just a few million pounds for the 2023/24 trading period they will be free to lose up to around £80m in the 24/25 accounts and still be compliant with PSR.

That will open more doors for summer recruitment drives, in a window in which more attainable targets will be available and easier to purchase. Should a big name also leave Newcastle in the summer for mega money, the St James' Park outfit would see their financial fortunes totally transformed further.

However, back to the here and now and cashing in on Almiron this month would leave Howe down to the bare bones. Harvey Barnes, a winger on the opposite flank to Almiron, will be missing until February, along with central striker Callum Wilson who can only play in one position - through the middle.

That would leave Newcastle with Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, Jacob Murphy and William Osula as their only, senior, attacking options until the aforementioned duo return from the sidelines.

Pressed on whether the club could afford to lose Almiron and not replace him, Howe told reporters on Friday: "It's not ideal. 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 with PSR and the ongoing managing of that situation. So we've said many times over the last few weeks we'll make more decisions not based on football, but based on decisions that we potentially have to make for the future."

Right-wing remains a priority position to strengthen for Newcastle, despite the dramatic upturn in Jacob Murphy's form. The fact it is still the only area of Howe's side not strengthened since the 2021 takeover speaks volumes.

Bryan Mbeumo, Antoine Semenyo and Takefusa Kubo are all among targets to bolster the right-side of Newcastle's attack but the truth is deals of that ilk will most likely need to be struck in the summer rather than this month. Do the Magpies therefore need to dip into the loan market to find a temporary body to fill Almiron's shoes as a squad player?

There's also the distinct possibility we see someone like Trevan Sanusi bumped up to the senior side despite his inexperience. The 17-year-old was brought off the bench against Bromley last week, making his first competitive appearance in black and white after impressing behind the scenes.

In just two weeks we'll know whether Newcastle have been able to fill Almiron's shoes if he does indeed depart as expected. But at this stage, with the black and white outfit flying so high, it feels like a mistake for the top-four chasing side to allow him to leave without moving for a replacement.