Newcastle need a creative midfielder who works in a counter-attacking system – and, in Miguel Almiron, they may well have found their man.
Newcastle United are interested in Atlanta United playmaker Miguel Almiron, according to Calciomercato.
And the Paraguay international is exactly the type of creative talent that the Magpies fans crave.
There has been some slightly unfair criticism this season of Ayoze Perez – trusted by Rafa Benitez to play behind forward Joselu – but Almiron would improve on the former Tenerife man with his frightening turn of pace and devastating end product.
If Perez has a tendency to sometimes slow attacks with his dallying on the ball, the same cannot be said of Almiron.
Atlanta – playing just their first season – have already become one of the most exciting sides in MLS, largely due to the speed of Almiron, Hector Villalba and Josef Martinez on the break.
Benitez favours a counter-attacking style, too, and the 23-year-old then has real quality in the final third, having contributed nine goals and 14 assists in 2017.
Another bonus is that Almiron is still at an age where Benitez can play a big role in his development – as has already been the case with Jamaal Lascelles, Isaac Hayden and Mikel Merino.
The only concern for Newcastle may be that Arsenal are also allegedly interested – per the same report – but the Tyneside club could and should hand the former Lanus man a key role at St James’ Park.
Almiron has earned the opportunity to impress in the spotlight of the Premier League.
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