Newcastle United’s head of recruitment Steve Nickson is to jet off to the United States to open talks with Atlanta United over the potential signing of Miguel Almiron this winter, according to the Chronicle.
The newspaper claim on their website that the top Magpies figure will head over to the MLS side on a personal transfer mission to discuss the demands set on the head of the attacking midfielder, who has been firmly on the radar at St James’ Park this season.
It is stated that Newcastle have scouted the 24-year-old no less than nine times this season and he is high on Rafael Benitez’s shortlist of targets, while a £25million asking price is also claimed.
Good move for Newcastle?
The Toon Army might well be shaking their head in disbelief at this report.
Is this the Magpies taking initiative for once? Almiron certainly seems a top talent already and it is no surprise to see that he is on a number of clubs’ wishlists, but Newcastle seem to be desperate to trump their rivals for his capture.
Benitez does need an attacking midfielder to help boost the Magpies’ threat up top and Almiron, with his 13 goals and 13 assists this season, ticks a lot of boxes.
Is he ready for the Premier League? Benitez and Nickson seem to think so and their judgement has not been wrong too many times at St James’ Park.
This is Futbol rating: 8.5/10
Likely to happen?
Unfortunately for the Toon Army, they still have Mike Ashley as their owner – and that is enough to dampen any hopes of securing his capture.
The businessman’s argument will likely be that with Ayoze Perez and Yoshinori Muto at St James’ Park, why does he need to spend £25million on another forward.
The price tag is way out of reach for Newcastle under Ashley and no matter what Nickson says in these arranged talks, a compromise is unlikely.
This is Futbol rating: 3/10