OPINION
Newcastle United are surely one step closer to potentially signing Atlanta United star Miguel Almiron judging by the latest news coming from the Americas.
According to Argentine news outlet Estudio Futbol via their official Twitter account, Atlanta could be signing River Plate attacker Gonzalo Martinez in the next transfer window.
And reliable Argentinean sports journalist Cesar Luis Merlo has added via his personal Twitter account that means that Atlanta forward Almiron is surely going to head to Europe in the winter.
Gonzalo Martínez podría ser vendido al @ATLUTD en el próximo mercado de pases. El 10 de River tiene una cláusula de rescisión de €15.000.000.
— TyC Sports Vivo (@tycsportsvivo) October 2, 2018
Gonzalo Martínez, muy cerca de ser vendido al Atlanta de la MLS. Como seguramente Almirón se vaya a Europa, el club inglés avanzó para comprar al "Pity" en un cifra cercana a los 15 millones de euros limpios de su cláusula. Vía @EstudioFutbol pic.twitter.com/e45Vcp413D
— César Luis Merlo (@CLMerlo) October 2, 2018
Newcastle were hot on the heels of Almiron in the summer transfer window with the Sun reporting that talks had been held about signing the Paraguay international.
It was understood that the former Lanus attacker was keen to head to the Premier League, with a £10million switch on the cards.
Almiron’s dream move failed to materialise before the English transfer window slammed shut in August, but Newcastle’s hopes have surely been boosted thanks to this latest update about Martinez heading to Atlanta.
Almiron would be such a quality addition for the Magpies as well.
Not only would a potential £10million signing be a bargain-buy, the goal machine has been absolutely lethal in front of goal in the MLS.
In 2018, the 24-year-old has scored 12 goals and supplied 13 assists in 31 league games. Just imagine if he could replicate those stats at St James’ Park – relegation would not be an issue anymore.
The Denver Post reports that Almiron earns £28,000-a-week on his deal with Atlanta, so even though Newcastle are being held back by Mike Ashley’s lack of spending, the Paraguayan could be within the club’s reach financially.
It would really be a game-changing transfer if the Magpies were able to pull this off in January.
Luckily, it looks like what was originally a pipe dream could now become a reality.