Atlanta deal hints at exit for Almiron
NEWCASTLE may have received a boost in their pursuit for Atlanta United midfielder Miguel Almiron as the newly-crowned MLS Cup champions have already sourced his replacement.
Almiron played for what many people believe to be the final time at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Saturday as Atlanta won America’s top football prize for the first time, beating Portland Timbers 2-0 in the final.
The 24-year-old Paraguayan hinted he may be back for pre-season but the club, his team-mates and most pertinently his agent all expect him to move on next month.
Reports last week that suggested Newcastle had agreed a loan deal for Almiron with a view to a permanent £15million deal but were baulked at by Atlanta president Darren Eales.
Head of recruitment Steve Nickson had jetted out to the US to discuss a deal but there have been no further developments.
However, Newcastle will take solace in that Atlanta are seemingly ready to accept Almiron will be moving on, as they have already moved to sign a replacement.
Atlanta have very successfully shopped in the Latin American transfer market over the past two years and they have seemingly agreed a deal with River Plate playmaker Gonzalo Martinez.
Martinez, who scored the winning goal in Sunday’s Copa Libertadores final against fierce rivals Boca Juniors, confirmed that he will join the Americans in January.
The attacking midfielder is believed to be the direct replacement for Almiron.
Speaking after yesterday’s win, Martinez told TyC Sports: “I want to inform the fans that in January I will not continue [with the club].
“It is a very difficult decision for me, but the road continues.
“I think that I gave the fans what they deserve and it is everything that they believed in me. I am going to play the Club World Cup.
“[Atlanta] is the club that trusted in me. European clubs didn’t trust [in me] in the moment.
“I thought about it a lot with my family, with my representative. It’s a league that’s grown a lot and I hope to continue making history with this club.”