Newcastle United are reportedly close to admitting defeat in their battle to tempt Atlanta United to offload Miguel Almiron next month.
The Magpies had been hoping to sign the Paraguayan attacker in time for the transfer window opening on January 1.
Reports from South America earlier this month went as far to suggest that a deal had already been struck between the two clubs, with a fee north of £15m being accepted.
Almiron's father also recently hinted that Newcastle were the firm favourites to bring the 24-year-old to the Premier League, but the Daily Star indicates that no firm agreement is in place and United's hopes of landing the player are receding.
Atlanta may instead hold out for a fee of close to £30m for Almiron, who finished second in the 2018 Most Valuable Player voting in Major League Soccer.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Friday, Rafael Benitez hinted that he is not confident about adding to his squad for the second half of the campaign.
Daniel Lewis
