The performances of Newcastle United’s club record signing Miguel Almiron could impact how much money Mike Ashley decides to spend this summer, according to the Daily Mail journalist Craig Hope.
The newspaper’s North East football correspondent claims that the Paraguayan’s displays could be significant in persuading the Magpies owner to part with significant funds.
The club adhered to manager Rafael Benitez’s wishes in regards to Almiron in January, but with the former Atlanta United man disappointing in recent fixtures they may rule out spending so much on one player in the future.
However, if the 25-year-old returns to the form he displayed at the start of his Newcastle career, then Ashley could still end up backing Benitez this summer.
OPINION
It’s no surprise that this is the stance that Ashley is taking in regards to the club’s summer spending. It seems strange that the Newcastle owner would decide his entire transfer window strategy on one player, but after spending more than he probably wanted to on Almiron he will be monitoring the winger’s progress carefully in the final games of the season. It was Benitez who really wanted Almiron brought in, not the club necessarily, and so if he fails to make the expected impact then Ashley may well decide to limit the club’s summer spending. That would be unfair on Benitez, with the step up to the Premier League notoriously taking some time, but that’s the sort of owner the Spaniard is dealing with. Hopefully, though, the Paraguayan steps up to the plate and improves on his recent form down the stretch this season. If not, we could be in for another frustrating summer on Tyneside.
