Newcastle United are reportedly close to agreeing a deal to sign Atlanta United midfielder Miguel Almiron.
Alan Shearer has stated that one of the reasons Mike Ashley is sanctioning a reported major deal for Miguel Almiron is to keep Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez at the club.
The other reason why Shearer thinks a deal like this needed to happen is because the club supporters were threatening not to renew their season tickets.
Sky Sports report that Atlanta United midfielder Almiron is on Tyneside ahead of a club-record fee believed to be in the region of £21 million.
Shearer expressed his delight that Ashley is finally showing ambition but warned that this cannot be the first and only deal of its type.
“At last,” Shearer told Match of the Day on BBC One on 30/01/2019. “Two reasons why something had to happen at Newcastle. They got to keep Rafa that they mean business.
“He [Almiron] will be a very good signing. What Newcastle want, a number 10, skilfull, left-footed and a bit of pace.
“The other reason is that season ticket renewal time. There are thousands threatening not to renew their season ticket, so they had to make a statement. Hopefully, it is the first of many.”
During his career, Almiron has never played in Europe but has played in the MLS, his home country of Paraguay and Argentina.
During the recently concluded MLS season, the goalscoring midfielder helped Atlanta clinch the MLS Cup in their debut campaign as a franchise.
He played 38 matches in all competitions, finding the back of the net on 13 occasions and supplying the same number of assists, according to transfermarkt.
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