The agent of Miguel Almiron Newcastle United were able to trump both Arsenal and Southampton to the capture of the attacking midfielder over the January transfer window by offering a permanent deal instead of a loan.
The Magpies broke their long-standing transfer record to snap up the Paraguayan international over the winter window and while he might not have scored a goal for his new club yet, he has impressed the St James’ Park faithful with his attacking impetus.
Speaking after seeing his client’s first few weeks on Tyneside, Daniel Campos revealed that Rafael Benitez was not the only manager keen on snapping him up from Atlanta but that the other offers on the table were loans.
He told radio station ABC Cardinal, as quoted by the Sun: “Miguel Almiron is a footballer who went from less to more, now he is a more complete footballer.
“There was interest shown by Manchester United in Miguel Almiron but they never made an offer. Arsenal and Southampton offered loan deals but we did not want it to be a loan.
Opinion
Newcastle fans will have to do a double take of this revelation from Almiron’s agent. Have their side really beaten not one but two of their Premier League rivals to a signing – and a permanent one at that? It seems beyond belief that Mike Ashley would sanction the funds to secure his signing when there were other sides sniffing out a deal but that is exactly what has happened. Are the Toon Army pinching themselves? You bet they are. Almiron looks a quality addition to the Magpies’ squad already and if this is what the St James’ Park faithful have got to look forward to for the foreseeable future then they had best buckle themselves in for one heck of a ride. The Paraguayan looks a real danger up front and his pace is absolutely blistering. It is not said often, but Ashley needs some credit for beating the club’s rivals to his capture.