Eddie Howe responds to Miguel Almiron contract talk at Newcastle United

Eddie Howe has denied that Newcastle United are set to open talks with Miguel Almiron over a new contract. The in-form Paraguayan’s current deal expires in 2024.

The 28-year-old has been in top form for the Magpies this Premier League campaign, scoring six goals - including five in five games, which has led to talk over a potential extension as a reward for that.

Howe says contract talks will take place at a future date. The likes of Paul Dummett, Matt Ritchie and Paul Dummett are out of contract next summer, as is Jonjo Shelvey, although the midfielder needs to play just two more games to activate an automatic one-year extension,

“No, I don’t know where that story has come from,” Howe said. “I’ve said every week how much I love and respect Miggy but I don’t think any conversations have started between the club or his representatives. At the moment, we’re in a busy spell of games. All conversations on contract and futures will take place at a later date.”

Almiron put pen to paper on a five-and-a-half-year deal when he joined from Atlanta United for £21million in January 2019. The winger struggled to capture his best form under Steve Bruce, however the arrival of Howe as head coach has transformed his career on Tyneside.

“He’s playing very well,” Howe said after Newcastle’s 2-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. “I think last year he played well, he just didn’t maybe get the goals that his performances deserved. I think if you’re not scoring as an attacking player, then people don’t really tend to speak about you too much but from a team’s perspective, he did very well, especially later in the season.

“This season, I think he’s picked up where he left off from last season at the end of last season he’s added goals. He’s added some spectacular goals, like the one in midweek, and the one against Fulham and he’s added some scrappy goals like the tap in against Fulham. I’m not sure where I rank today’s yet, I need to see it, but it’s just great he’s getting in goalscoring areas, he’s playing with confidence. And he’s a very, very important member of the team.”