Newcastle United stepping up efforts to sign Arsenal target?

Newcastle United have reportedly step up their efforts to sign Atlanta United midfielder Miguel Almiron during the winter transfer window.

The 25-year-old has enjoyed an outstanding season in the Major League Soccer with 13 goals and 11 assists and this has already caught the eye of Premier League giants Arsenal.

However, according to The Mail, it is the Magpies who are prepared to make an early approach for the Paraguayan with the transfer window reopens in a month's time.

Still, Almiron is likely to cost the Magpies in upwards of £25m and it remains to be seen whether owner Mike Ashley is willing to part with such a figure to lure the attacker to St James Park.

Newcastle have managed just 11 goals from their opening 13 matches this campaign but five of those strikes have resulted from the previous three top-flight games.

The Tynesiders were at one stage lying in the dropzone but a run of three-straight victories sees them four points clear of the relegation places for the timebeing.