Magpies beat Devils to deal for Almiron

MANCHESTER United were weighing up a move for Miguel Almiron before he made his move to Newcastle United, according to his agent Daniel Campo.

The Magpies eventually agreed a fee of £16million for the Paraguay international with the amount possible rising to £21million if he reaches a number of milestones. Tyneside chiefs spent two months talking to Atlanta United for Almiron but the deal looked to have collapsed when the player headed to Italy to talk to Napoli. But Newcastle resurrected the transfer and finally sealed the move on deadline day. Speaking to ParaguayTVHD, Campo said: “Manchester United was interested in Miguel Almiron.”

He feels Newcastle have signed the ultimate professional in Almiron and is confident that the city’s goldfish bowl culture will not affect his client. Magpies boss Rafa Benitez is now pondering whether to start Almiron against Huddersfield this weekend. Speaking after the 1-1 draw with CSKA Moscow, the former Liverpool and Real Madrid boss said: “It is just a question of his understanding with the others to see if he can start or not – but I am sure he will give us something.

“He is someone who is working hard, trying to be involved and his commitment is positive for the team.

“He has stamina, he has pace, he is very dynamic – he is giving us what we were expecting.”