Atlanta are in danger of breaking an MLS rule if they do not sign Newcastle-linked Almiron.
Gianluca Di Marzio’s website has claimed that Atlanta United have to sell Newcastle United target Miguel Almiron this month in order to adhere to MLS rules – and could sell him for a cut-price figure.
MLS clubs are only allowed three designated players – a player that does not have to adhere to the MLS’ transfer fee and wages cap. Almiron is one of those players, but Atlanta are said to have signed a new player.
Those three players also include striker Josef Martinez and Ezequiel Barco. Di Marzio’s report says that Atlanta are also set to complete the signing of River Plate’s Argentina international Pity Martinez.
That would make him Atlanta’s fourth designated player, one more than they are allowed. It means they must sell Almiron, and could be willing to do business in a cut-price deal for the player who has long been linked with Newcastle.
Di Marzio’s story says interested parties can land 24-year-old Almiron – who scored 13 goals and create 13 more in Atlanta’s MLS Cup-winning season – for between £18million and £19million before January 31.
Paraguayan publication El Intransigente claimed in December that Newcastle have offered a club-record £22 million, which was below Atlanta’s original asking price of £25million. Now, they can sign Almiron for less.
It remains to be seen if Newcastle will re-enter the market for the Paraguay international, with the Toon yet to make a second offer for Atlanta’s star player.
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