Newcastle United have agreed personal terms with Atlanta United playmaker Miguel Almiron, according to a reliable journalist.
Guardian Sport’s deputy news editor Ed Aarons reported on his personal Twitter account on Wednesday morning that the north-east giants have yet to seal a deal for the 24-year-old.
Aarons explained that there is “no agreement” with Almiron’s club Atlanta over a transfer fee for the 24-year-old.
Still no progress with Newcastle's attempt to sign Miguel Almiron. Personal terms agreed but still no agreement with Atlanta United over fee
— Ed Aarons (@ed_aarons) January 9, 2019
OPINION
Contrary to Aarons underplaying his own story, this is a major development for Newcastle. Widespread reports in the last 24 hours, including by the reliable Chronicle, stated that Almiron’s wage demands of £100,000-plus per week were pricing the transfer out of the Premier League club’s reach. Now, a major hurdle appears to have been cleared, and that represents real progress, despite little expectation from their continually frustrated fanbase that a deal can be pushed over the finish line. Almiron has just had the season of his life – the MLS campaign finished just before Christmas – but there must be some doubt as to whether he can make an immediate impact in the Premier League, where the pace of the game is so much quicker and the demands far higher. The Paraguay international is clearly a class act and despite intense criticism from supporters and neutrals over owner Mike Ashley’s transfer market caution, it could actually be the right approach in the case of the Atlanta playmaker.