OPINION
Mike Ashley is bound to want to cash in on Miguel Almiron this summer amid Real Madrid’s reported interest in the Newcastle United attacker.
The Mirror reported via their live transfer blog on Sunday [03:47pm] that the La Liga giants have unexpectedly set their sights on Almiron, 25, after being impressed by his performances for Paraguay at the Copa America, that is currently underway in Brazil.
It is understood that Almiron is currently valued at £35million, and if they manage to get that much cash for the attacking midfielder, the Magpies would be in line to make a £14million profit.
Almiron joined Newcastle from Atlanta United in January when Ashley finally allowed Rafa Benitez to break the club’s record transfer to complete a £21million deal.
After joining the Tyneside club, Almiron impressed with his pace and dynamism, but ultimately his performances started to fall off a bit as time went on.
However according to stats by WhoScored, Almiron managed a 74.7 per cent pass accuracy in his 10 Premier League appearances for Newcastle and averaged 1.3 key passes, 1.9 shots at goal and 0.7 crosses per match. All of those average stats were better than what Ayoze Perez managed for the club but still, the wait goes one for the Paraguay international to score his first goal or even register his first assist.
It’s still early days for Almiron at St James’ Park and moving from MLS, where he was the best player by a distance, to the Premier League is one massive challenge for him, so there is definitely time for him to improve.
However knowing Ashley, he is bound to see the value in cashing in on Almiron now if Real Madrid are willing to offer £35million for the player.
Not many players see their value skyrocket by £14million in just 10 appearances.
Although he did stand out in a few matches, even the most hardened of Newcastle fan would admit that Almiron isn’t on the level of Real Madrid, who boast the likes of Isco and Marco Asensio in his position.
Ashley is a businessman who can sniff out the chance to make some cash from a mile away, so if there is any chance of making a bunch of cash in a player, he is bound to do it.
As long as Ashley stays as Newcastle’s owner, he is bound to want more players like Almiron is they can attract clubs like Real Madrid.
It’s a good thing and a bad thing for the club because they could benefit by making more big-money signings, but could also lose players that they come to love and idolise.
Hopefully Almiron’s time at St James’ Park doesn’t end prematurely because there is definitely more to come from the former Atlanta maestro.
