Winger pictured at Newcastle United training ground ahead of transfer decision

Pictured at the club’s Benton training ground on Friday morning were Fabian Schar and Miguel Almiron. Both players missed the start of pre-season - including the visit to the Adidas HQ in Herzogenaurach last week - after being handed extra time off following their involvement at Euro 2024 and the Copa America.

There are just three weeks until the Magpies kick-off their 2024-25 Premier League campaign at home to Southampton, and plenty of transfer activity is expected to happen before then. Although there is a want for incomings, Eddie Howe has not ruled out the prospect of others leaving after pressures to comply with Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) forced the double sale of Yankuba Minteh and Elliot Anderson on June 30.

And among those players with question marks over his future is Almiron.

Newcastle were prepared to part ways with Almiron in January following an approach from the Saudi Pro League, however, the player himself decided to stay. Ultimately, it ended up being a frustrating end to the season after a knee injury contributed to the winger losing his place in the starting XI for the remaining 10 games.

The interest from Saudi Arabia hasn’t gone away and United will be faced with a decision should an offer arrive. Being 30-years-old with two years left on his contract, this might be the club’s best opportunity to cash in for a reasonable price. In turn, Howe’s side are looking to upgrade on Almiron.

In the meantime, the Paraguayan could get his first minutes of pre-season against Hull tomorrow. Howe’s squad then jet out to Japan on Sunday ahead of friendlies against Urawa Red Diamonds and Yokohama F.Marinos in Toyko.

Bruno Guimaraes is due to link up with the squad in the Far East while Anthony Gordon and Kieran Trippier could also, although that is unconfirmed after England’s Euro 2024 final defeat less than two weeks ago.

Trippier is another whose future is uncertain with the right-back, who turns 34 in September and is into the final year of his contract, also attracting interest from Saudi Arabia.