Newcastle United looking to hijack £25.3m deal for exciting Miguel Almiron replacement

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Newcastle United are preparing for life without Miguel Almiron.

After six years at the club, it now looks like Almiron’s time on Tyneside is coming to an end.

Newcastle are set to accept Atlanta United’s offer for Almiron, a fee in the region of £10million. It now leaves Eddie Howe with Jacob Murphy as his sole option on the right side of his attack.

Almiron has not made many appearances for Newcastle this season, only seven in the Premier League with most of them coming from the bench.

The Magpies are not expected to sign a replacement in January even though they have been offered Takefusa Kubo from Real Sociedad. They also missed out on signing Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund after he joined Aston Villa.

Despite their reluctance, a recent report has linked Newcastle to a Brazilian winger who would be a like-for-like replacement to Almiron.

Newcastle planning Luiz Henrique move

Luiz Henrique’s performances this season have caught the eye of clubs around the Premier League.

The Brazilian scored seven goals and bagged three assists in the Brazilian Serie A last season, helping Botafogo win their first league title since 1995.

According to Corriere dello Sport, Newcastle are planning to hijack a move for the 24-year-old who has interest from Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace. Palace may be in the driver’s seat to make a deal happen given their owner John Textor also has a stake in the Brazilian side.

However, the report suggests Newcastle now look more likely to land Henrique.

Botafogo have slapped a £25.3m price tag on Henrique, but have given clubs a deadline to clubs to make their interest known. They are growing tired of speculation and are awaiting offers for their winger.

Newcastle were linked to Henrique in 2023 when he still played for Real Betis, but ultimately made the move to Brazil in February 2024.

Henrique is versatile but spends most of his time playing as a right winger. The 24-year-old is similar to Almiron given the fact he is left-footed but plays on the right side of the attack.

• READ MORE: All of Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United signings, ranked

Henrique compared to Newcastle wingers

Should Newcastle sign Henrique, Howe could use him as a left or right winger and a centre-forward.

Henrique wouldn’t only be a replacement for Almiron. He could act as a backup to Alexander Isak should anything happen to him before the end of the season.

Newcastle need as many bodies as possible for the end of the season. The Magpies currently sit fourth in the Premier League and are aiming for a return to the Champions League.

Henrique could even take Murphy’s place in Newcastle’s starting XI if he impresses Howe. Either way, he would be a great addition to the first-team squad.