Newcastle Should Beat Arsenal In The Race To Sign Miguel Almiron And Here’s Why
Arsenal are looking to sign Atlanta United forward Miguel Almiron this winter, though they now apparently face very stiff competition from Newcastle United and Rafa Benitez.
The Paraguayan international has been busy growing his band of suitors in this year’s MLS, playing for Atlanta, where he has 9 goals and 8 assists to his name in 30 appearances.
Because of his dazzling displays, the two Premier League sides and also Inter Milan are looking to sign the 23-year-old who will be available for around £15m – a bumper payday for Atlanta United but a very affordable fee for English top division sides.
Having impressed mightily during the 2013 under-23 World Cup for Paraguay, Almiron went on to make his full international debut in 2015 and has gone from strength to strength, putting himself right in the shop window and standing out to European scouts.
The question now is if Newcastle would benefit from his presence more than Arsenal.
Even when speaking in general, Newcastle don’t possess the sort of firepower Arsenal do and so on that basis alone they have more of a need for Almiron. But on closer inspection, them winning this race could prove to be even more of a coup and even more necessary.
Though Rafa has Ayoze Perez and Mo Diame to choose for a central role, Rafa has been desperate for additions in this area and it’s felt that his presence would give the former Real Madrid boss an instant attacking boost.
There is also the fact that he is quite fond of playing down the right and cutting inside to good effect as a typically modern left-footed forward. This is something we see most weeks at Newcastle from Matt Ritchie. However, as Newcastle’s main supply line, should he miss a few games, they will feel the bite quite badly.
Jacob Murphy can play on that side but he is far from the finished article and favours his right foot. So having this second left-footed option would mean the squad taking a deeper look.
Given the form of Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark and Isaac Hayden to name three, Newcastle have had a very solid look about them defensively but have lacked a certain something going forward. Their need for a proper No.9 means signing Almiron would not alleviate all of their offensive woes, but it would certainly go a long way towards it.