Newcastle United told their next major transfer decision after eight-figure financial boost

Newcastle United are set to net around £10m from the sale of Almiron this month - a not insignificant figure in a world of PSR. The Paraguayan is expected to have his move back to Atlanta United confirmed in the coming days - ending a six-year stay on Tyneside.

Whilst Almiron has been far from a regular under Eddie Howe this season, he is a big figure behind the scenes and his departure will leave a hole in the squad, particularly with Harvey Barnes still facing another couple of weeks on the treatment table. With Almiron gone, that leaves only Jacob Murphy and Anthony Gordon as out-and-out first-team wingers currently available to Howe.

Joe Willock, Joelinton and Alexander Isak could all fill in those areas temporarily if required, whilst Trevan Sanusi lurks on the fringes. Sanusi made his competitive senior debut for Newcastle United during their FA Cup win over Bromley earlier this month, although the teenager is also currently sidelined with a muscle injury - one he is expected to recover from in the coming weeks.

Whilst these options would offer the Magpies a short-term fix, none of them will be a long-term solution. Paul Mitchell, Howe and co will know this and a new right-winger will almost certainly be prioritised when the summer transfer window opens.

However, with more than four months until that happens and with plenty to play for on the field including two domestic cups and European qualification, Newcastle have a big decision to make. Will they risk their potential on the pitch for their long-term vision? Or will they put their long-term aims to the forefront and hope that Howe and his side have enough in the tank to be a success this campaign?

That is the big issue facing the club in the next five days before the January transfer window closes at 11pm on Monday night. All the noise from the club suggests that it will be a quiet end to the month, with sales likely to dominate headlines, rather than any incomings.

And whilst that makes sense to the club, Newcastle United fans seemingly have a different view on the matter, particularly in relation to the situation surrounding Almiron’s future and potential replacements. In a poll conducted by the Shields Gazette, readers were asked the question: ‘Do Newcastle United need to sign a replacement for Almiron this month?’.

Given two options to respond, 58% picked ‘Yes!’ and want Newcastle United to get another player in to replace the Paraguayan. Players like Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo and PSV Eindhoven’s Johan Bakayoko have all been linked with a move to Tyneside in recent times, however, the fees involved to sign these players, particularly Mbeumo and Semenyo, mean that a move this month is highly-unlikely and nigh impossible to complete even if they wanted to do a deal, such would be the reluctance of Brentford and Bournemouth to sell.

42%, meanwhile, agree with the club and do not believe that they need to replace Almiron this month.