Keith Downie has told Give Me Sport that Newcastle could still sell Miguel Almiron despite his brilliant winner against Crystal Palace – and Eddie Howe might replace him with the addition of Jesse Lingard on a free.
Almiron, 28, has started the last three games for Newcastle under Toon boss Howe. The Paraguay international was the difference on Wednesday night, curling a gorgeous left-footed effort into the top corner past Vicente Guaita.
Signed for £21million (Mirror), Almiron has not repaid the fee – which was a club-record at the time. Glimpses of brilliance, but not the consistency required. His work rate has always been good, even Alan Shearer thinks so.
He has been linked with the exit door, the Mirror claiming Newcastle will let him go for £10million. Downie believes Newcastle will sell the South American, and could replace him with Manchester United ace Lingard.
“I expect Miguel Almiron to go in the summer, so they will want a replacement for him [Lingard] and he obviously plays in that position,” Downie told Give Me Sport, when discussing Almiron and Lingard.
Downie on Almiron, Lingard: Good business by Newcastle?
If Newcastle can draw the West Ham form out of Lingard, then signing him on a free is a must. Even if, £80,000-a-week (Times) Lingard turns 30 at the end of the month. Almiron is not the player Lingard can be.
Ultimately, Almiron is only a year younger than Lingard and letting him go for £10million and replacing him with the Manchester United star on a free is good business – especially because Lingard can be an improvement.
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