The MLS talent Newcastle could target after Miguel Almiron’s spell on Tyneside

After a slow start to life in England, Almirón would end up playing a pivotal role under Eddie Howe and emerging as a fan favorite at St. James’ Park. He scored 30 goals and 12 assists in 223 appearances for the Magpies and helped lead them back to the UEFA Champions League after a two-decade drought.

Six years after arriving in England, Almirón headed back to Atlanta United in the recent January transfer window. It brings the question: should Newcastle dip into the MLS transfer market again?

Newcastle’s PSR constraints have often left hands tied from a financial perspective, limitng their ability to bring in big-name signings. It’s why, in the summer transfer window, they were forced to part ways with two of their biggest young talents in Yankuba Minteh and Elliot Anderson, and why, in the January window, they sold Lloyd Kelly for a lucrative profit whilst not bringing in any new players. However, with MLS, there is an ample market of players that are available for relatively cheap fees in contrast to Europe’s top five leagues. 

Between Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles’ long-term injuries and the fact that Fabian Schär and Dan Burn are both on the wrong side of 30, Newcastle could be tempted to invest in central defense this window. Having failed in their attempts to sign Marc Guehi and having seen Manchester City beat them to the acquisition of Abdukadir Khusanov, Newcastle will be in need of a central defender this coming window, especially after selling Kelly to Juventus.

They could decide to head to the MLS transfer market and target Argentine defender Tomás Avilés, who, at the age of 20, has already become a vital figure in central defense for Inter Miami.

On the other hand, Newcastle are also in need of a right-sided winger, a need that has been exacerbated following Almirón’s exit. Jacob Murphy has been in superb form this season, but at 30 years of age, he isn’t getting any younger. Moreover, with there being no other natural alternative for him, the likes of Joelinton and Anthony Gordon have had to slot into an unnatural position.

Center forward is also an issue – Callum Wilson has been plagued by injuries this term, and at 33, he’s past his prime, whilst Will Osula has failed to convince Eddie Howe since joining from Sheffield United. And while Alexander Isak has staked his claim as Newcastle’s finest striker since the great Alan Shearer, he needs another option to reduce their overreliance on the sensational Swede.

As such, Newcastle might be wise to consider dipping into the MLS transfer market and sign one of the many talented attacking youngsters in North America’s top division, be that LA Galaxy’s Gabriel Pec, CF Montrèal’s Caden Clark, or Sporting Kansas City’s Dejan Joveljić.

Pec is a Brazilian right winger who bagged an impressive 21 goals and 18 assists in all competitions last season, while Clark is a versatile midfielder who has broken into the USMNT set up.

The MLS is no longer a retirement league where stars come to secure one last paycheck; it’s a breeding ground of talented, multifaceted young footballers who can then make the next step to a top league, and Newcastle should take notice.

Caden Clark was called up to the US Men’s National Team for the first time in December 2021, remaining on the bench for their friendly vs. Bosnia.

Three years later, he could be set to make his USMNT debut vs. Venezuela.

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— Zach Lowy (@ZachLowy) January 13, 2025