Newcastle United have scheduled another medical after Miguel Almiron’s after AS Monaco left back Antonio Barreca jetted into Tyneside on Wednesday (30 January), according to reliable journalist Lee Ryder.
The Chronicle’s chief Newcastle United writer claims on his personal Twitter account that the 23-year-old defender has arrived in the north east to undergo his medical after Almiron was pictured by Sky Sports’ Keith Downie arriving by helicopter to finalise his move from Atlanta United.
Antonio Barreca set for his medical later after arriving on Tyneside #nufc
— Lee Ryder (@lee_ryder) January 30, 2019
Picture Exclusive as Miguel Almiron arrives on Tyneside by helicopter ahead of his record-breaking move to Newcastle. Medical later today; fee of £21m agreed. Watch video on @SkySportsNews #NUFC pic.twitter.com/goHWBNsiFp
— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) January 30, 2019
Newcastle have not made a single signing in the January transfer window but it appears as though they could have at least two new arrivals before Thursday’s deadline.
Opinion
Better late than never, hey Newcastle fans? Almiron’s capture is the one that is going to make all the headlines with his reported record breaking fee and attacking prowess and so Barreca’s arrival will likely go under the radar. He is coming in as cover at left back – an absolute must considering Paul Dummett’s absence and Javier Manquillo’s inability to perform to standard – and it should see Matt Ritchie finally revert to his wing role after covering on the left hand side of defence. He has been out of favour in the south of France and there will be some doubts over whether he has the talent and ability to be a success in St James’ Park, having managed to make just nine appearances this season. It is therefore up to the defender to change everyone’s perceptions and the fact that a manager of Rafael Benitez’s quality and experience is willing to make a move for him suggests there is more than meets the eye when it comes to the Italian.