'Top class': Eddie Howe praises Miguel Almiron amid rumours linking him with move to Atlanta United

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe spoke to the gathered media masses this morning ahead of tomorrow's visit of his former club Bournemouth.

Before attention turned to the Cherries, the focus was unsurprisingly on transfers with a lot of speculation around a return to Atlanta United for Miguel Almiron.

After Charlotte FC and Newcastle couldn't agree on a fee, Charlotte stepped aside and granted Atlanta permission to initiate talks (weird MLS rules give them exclusivity on a deal if they call dibs).

Plenty of reliable journalists have been reporting how a £10 million deal looks very likely so it was no shock that this was the first point of business on Friday morning.

Miguel Almiron is expected to be part of tomorrow's squad

While not confirming anything either way, as is the Eddie Howe way, the gaffer did take time to praise Miggy's professionalism, while also talking about the need to keep the team together (via The Chronicle).

"We're expecting him in for training today and as part of our squad tomorrow.

"With him, currently, anything could happen. But my concern is getting the squad focused for tomorrow's game.

"He's been top class. As you know, his playing persona is his personality. He's happy, a brilliant professional. He will come in every day and his training performances, his focus, his personality has been consistent. I've no issues with him on that side."

Eddie Howe takes another swipe at PSR

It may have been a pretty non-committal statement from Howe but it does sound like he's resigned to losing the Paraguayan this month, however, when pushed on whether losing Miggy and not replacing him would be a mistake, Howe did manage to have another dig about having to make these decisions for business reasons rather than football ones.

"It's not ideal. I don't think it's ideal from anyone's viewpoint from our side. We don't wanna lose players but we know that there's a reality with PSR and the ongoing managing of that situation.

"So we've said many times over the last few weeks we'll make more decisions not based on football, but based on decisions that we potentially have to make for the future."

We're all for having a pop at PSR and love it when people in the game speak up against it, especially when they're connected to Newcastle. But part of selling Miggy has to be football reasons too. He should have been let go ages ago.