Miguel Almirón set to stay at Newcastle as Al-Shabab fail to meet £30m price tag | Newcastle United

Miguel Almirón looks set to stay at Newcastle this month after Saudi Pro League side Al-Shabab failed to secure a deal for the Paraguayan.

Newcastle had been open to selling Almirón if the Riyadh-based club could match their £30m valuation of the 29-year-old signed from Atlanta United in 2019. But following lengthy negotiations over the last week after an initial bid of £17m was rejected, it is understood that Al-Shabab, who are set to complete the signing of Croatia midfielder Ivan Rakitić from Sevilla, could not reach an agreement.

That means Eddie Howe’s hopes of bringing in any new signings this month will rest on other players departing the club as Newcastle attempt to remain within the Premier League’s profit and ­sus­tainability rules. An approach from Bayern Munich for Kieran Trippier was rejected earlier the month, while the England striker Callum Wilson has yet to attract any bids after also being put up for sale.

Almirón missed Saturday’s victory over Fulham due to illness, with Howe confirming on Monday that he could be in contention to face Aston Villa on Tuesday. “We certainly hope to have Miggy with us,” he said.

The United States forward Timothy Weah has rejected a potential loan move to Everton from Juventus. The 23-year-old has made 17 appearances in Serie A this season.

Sheffield United are among several clubs interested in signing Sékou Mara from Southampton but the Championship promotion chasers are not prepared to allow the Frenchman to leave until they can secure a replacement.