OPINION
Newcastle United fans should get the welcome banners ready for Miguel Almiron based on the confidence of BBC man Tim Vickery.
The South American football specialist who works for BBC Brasil, a fact he proudly states in the Twitter bio of his verified account, was asked about the Magpies chances of signing the 24-year-old attacking midfielder.
It was pointed out to Vickery that it had been claimed earlier on Wednesday that Almiron is believed to have agreed personal terms regarding a potential move to the Magpies, which was reported by Guardian journalist Ed Aarons on Twitter, ahead of him giving his verdict.
Still no progress with Newcastle's attempt to sign Miguel Almiron. Personal terms agreed but still no agreement with Atlanta United over fee
— Ed Aarons (@ed_aarons) January 9, 2019
“Atlanta are obviously going to do the deal as they brought in a replacement to the player voted the best in South America last year, Gonzalo Martinez, from River Plate who is a very similar kind of left-footed attacking player so they’ve already got a replacement in place,” said Vickery on talkSPORT (Wednesday January 9, 15:38).
“So they are clearly going to cash in on Almiron as all of this I imagine it’s just poker style negotiations or just them waiting to flush out a bigger offer, but I would imagine it is going to happen.”
Given Vickery’s confidence and known knowledge of South American football and its footballers, his verdict is one taking note of.
The BBC man is clearly confident that the Magpies will be successful in their pursuit of Almiron and that Atlanta are just playing hard ball before eventually caving.
It’s also relieving that Vickery seems to dismiss the idea that a bigger offer from potentially another club will be flushed out successfully as you wouldn’t back the Magpies to splash anymore cash than they have to, nor would you confidently back them in any bidding war.
Yet while the potential signing of the playmaker that Benitez so desperately needs, may drag out across the whole window, it seems Magpies fans should get the welcome banners ready if Vickery is anywhere close to be right with his verdict.
