THE MIG MARKET
Toon’s record buy Almiron admits he is a marked man.. but is ready for a scrap
MIGUEL ALMIRON has admitted he will have a “target” on his back as the Premier League’s most expensive January signing.
And Newcastle’s record £21million buy said he is ready to prove his worth, and cope with physical top-flight defenders.
The Paraguay midfielder was unveiled at a St James’ Park press conference, 14 years after their last record signing – £16.8m striker Michael Owen.
Almiron, 24, said he is fit and ready to make his debut against Wolves on Monday night. And he admitted his switch to Newcastle from MLS champions Atlanta United was a “dream” come true.
He said: “In terms of the pressure and price tag, I don’t pay too much attention to that.
“As for being a target, I’m aware it’s a physical league, and that’s something I can prepare for in training.
“It will be tough as the tempo is different.
High pressing and a harder league to play in than the MLS. But my team-mates will help me and it is something that I will cope with. Representing this club, that is pressure enough.
“It was a no-brainer to come here. I had no hesitation when I heard of Newcastle’s interest back in November, and of Rafa Benitez’s interest in me. I had to be patient.”
Almiron believes his “humble beginnings” will help him prove his worth.
In his free time, he studies videos of his “heroes” Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria to get inspiration. And he was known as the hardest trainer at Atlanta, as he chased his dream Premier League move. And Almiron, who grew up in his home land’s capital Asuncion, thanked his parents for toiling all hours – his dad as a
security guard, and mum in a supermarket – when he was a kid.
He said: “We were from a humble background, my parents worked hard to make sure we had food on the table.
“We never lacked a meal at the end of the day and they helped in my early career – they took me to games and training and always paid my club fees.
“Now, as
I’ve done
OK, they’ve been able to retire and they have a house.
They will join me here, too.
“From them,
I know the value of hard work. Football’s not just about skill and ability, especially in this league, it’s about putting a real shift in.”