Rafa’s in Mig trouble
NEWCASTLE’S hopes of landing Rafa Benitez’s top transfer target have been hit by a triple whammy.
Benitez has identified Paraguay ace Miguel Almiron, who plays for MLS champions Atlanta, as the man he wants to spark his goal-shy attack into life.
But not only are the two clubs still wide apart in their valuation with the Americans holding out for
£20m, his personal terms are proving to be a stumbling block too.
Newcastle’s negotiating team are also reluctant to match the fees being demanded by his agent.
Almiron is regarded as one of the top performers in the US and is already one of the better paid players in the league on
£44,000 a week. Newcastle will offer him
£70,000 a week but that falls short of the £100,000 he is looking for, which would make him the best paid player at St James’ Park despite no experience of European football.
Unless there is a breakthrough within the next week, Benitez will be forced to look elsewhere for the playmaker he feels could make the difference between Newcastle staying up or facing a desperate fight for top-flight survival.
Meanwhile, Newcastle’s young guns crashed to a
4-0 Checkatrade Trophy defeat at League One rivals Sunderland last night in front of almost 17,000 fans at the Stadium of Light.