OPINION
Newcastle United must hold their nerve in their pursuit of Miguel Almiron.
According to the Chronicle, the Magpies’ offer for the Paraguayan international still remains on the table, and is believed to be worth around £16 million.
It is understood that this is still £7 million short of the fee being demanded by current side Atlanta United, but the MLS champions’ transfer dealings should give the Toon Army some hope of a positive resolution.
Atlanta currently have one too many designated players after bringing in Pity Martinez from River Plate, and will presumably have to shift one on before the beginning of the season.
Newcastle, therefore, hold a lot more power in their negotiations than they did previously, and if they are smart, they will play on Atlanta’s self-imposed predicament to close out a deal for the 24-year-old.
Whether Atlanta would be willing to drop their asking price by £7 million seems unlikely, but it could mean that the Magpies have to offer a lot less than they originally will have expected to to complete a deal.
Rafa Benitez is desperate to get this one over the line, and for good reason, but with the transfer window in its final stretch and Atlanta with a massive dilemma on their hands, some shrewd negation could be enough to make it happen.
