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Transfers
Newcastle could sign next Antoine Griezmann but £20m-plus needed for Miguel Almiron replacement
It is fair to say the Paul Mitchell era at Premier League giants Newcastle United is yet to really explode into life.
The club’s🐬 new sporting director was viewed as one of the most respected talentspotters in European football before his arrival at St James’ Park back in July.
Paul Mitchell🅺 remains famed for his outstanding ability to pluck rising ౠstars out of relative obscurity; the brains behind the Mauricio Pochettino operation at both Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur.
But following an underwhelming first summer – a summer spent chasing Marc Guehi in vain while failing to bring in a single new face capable of really strengthening Eddie Howe’s starting XI – Mitche🦩ll faced plenty of criticism outside Newcastle’s boardroom.
Yet, those connections he has built up over more t🧜han a decade at the top level could still come i💯n very handy.
TBR understands that Pau൩l Mitchell wants to raidﷺ Monaco for Maghnes Akliouche; a silky attacking midfielder he knows very well from his time working in the Pr🐲incipality.
Newcastle United target Maghnes Akliouche labelled the new Antoine Griezmann
Newcastle are in the market for forward capable of playing behind the striker and potentially out wide as well. Akliouche ticks both of those boxes, providing four goals and four assists for Monaco this season wh☂ile situated largely on the right-hand side of Adi Hutter’s attack.
The France Under 21 international, who ended 🅰his breakout 2023/24 season with an impressive eight goals, even netted in a famous 2-1 Champions League victory over Barcelona a few months ago.
And Yves Le Mee, an agent who has watched Akliouche’s development closely, feels that the Monaco academy graduate has already moved out of the re༒ach of clubs without access to considerable transfer funds.
According to , Monaco are demanding over £20 millꦐion after𒆙 turning down an offer from Inter Milan over the summer.
Le Mee also sees similarities between Akliouche and a young Antoine Griezmann, Monaco’s number 11 sharing๊ the Atletico Madrid superstar’s supreme technical gifts in the final third.
“He will d♉efinitely be in the national team soon,” Le Mee tells . “I see him as the one who will take up G🍬riezmann’s legacy.
“And yes, I see him as a player who is off the market for everyone except the Premier League and the top clubs in Europe. If you have the money you can arrive at the last minute. Without [huge amounts of funds], you have tꦓo arrive early.
ౠ“Today, it is already too late [for Serie A clubs to sign Akliouche🍷].”
Monaco star Akliouche could replace Miguel Almiron at Newcastle
L’Equipe add that Manchester City, Juventus and G🌸riezmann’s Atletico have all shown an interest.
As have Paris Saint-Germain, with Akliouche lined up to follow in Kylienꦇ Mbappe’s footsteps with a switch from the Principa𓃲lity to the Parc des Princes.
“We see him progressing,” Monaco captain and one-time Chelsea midfꦍielder Denis Zakaria told reporters back in November. “He is a different player to the one from the start of last season. Before, he was a bit of a kid but he has matured.
“In hiꦛs ga𒆙me, he often makes the right decisions. He is really a very good player.”
Newcastle’s interest will raise further doubts about the future of Miguel Almiron at St James’ Park. TBR understands that Almiron could leave Newcastle for Saudi Arabia, a🍎lthough there is also interest from the MLS in the former Atlanta United talisman.
“He has a valid contract. The link was renewed las🎐t year for three more (June 2027), and 💝with the new owners of the club,” Daniel Campos, the Paraguay international’s agent, explains to .
“Miguel does𒉰 not despair about money issues or doing crazy things. [But] if there is an offer from a team, we 🍒will go through the appropriate channels.”