Football Insider pundit Tam McManus has claimed that Newcastle United would 'be mad' to give Miguel Almiron a new contract, despite the Paraguayan's sensational form.

The Lowdown: Another goal for Almiron...

The 28-year-old scored his Premier League on Sunday afternoon.

That is reports that his form is set to be rewarded with a new long-term deal on Tyneside.

However, Eddie Howe has dismissed those reports, claiming that he did not know where they came from and talks over contracts and futures will take place at a 'later date'.

The Latest: New deal would 'be mad'

Speaking to Football Insider, McManus has played down talk of giving Almiron a new deal on the basis of his form, with the 41-year-old claiming that it would 'be mad' for Newcastle to commit so hastily.

The former Hibernian striker said: “He’s had one really, really good month.

“That doesn’t earn you a new deal. I’m with Eddie Howe on this one. If he carries this on until the end of the season, then absolutely.

“What if he goes back to how he was playing last season but now he is on a much bigger pay packet and tied down for longer?

“Listen, I hope that doesn’t happen. I hope he gets better. But you have to think about the practicality of it.

“You have to earn a deal and Almiron is well on the way to doing that, but you can’t just be giving them out based on a good run of form. It would be mad; you would have new contracts every other week.”

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The Verdict: Give him a contract!

Almiron's current deal on Tyneside expires in 2024, and it would be dangerous not to renew it before the end of the season.

His form over the course of the campaign is worthy of improved terms and would also show him that Howe and the Newcastle board have full faith and trust in him as they continue their long-term project.

The Paraguay international will only have one year left on his deal next summer, which would leave the Magpies in a vulnerable position in terms of his transfer value and the fact that he could sign a pre-contract agreement with an overseas club in January 2024.

Therefore, they need to tie Almiron down as soon as they can, in order to protect his value more so than acting purely on his current form.