Newcastle ready to break transfer record with January swoop for MLS star

Newcastle United will need to break their transfer record in their bid to sign MLS star Miguel Almiron, the Mirror reports.

The Magpies were slow to act in the transfer market in the summer and while they eventually signed both Salomon Rondon and Yoshinori Muto, neither have had the desired impact at St. James’ Park.

Bolstering the clubs attacking ranks remains a priority as a result, and Rafa Benitez is keen to add some creativity to his midfield in order provide greater ammunition for his misfiring strikers.

Almiron has been pivotal to Atlanta’s MLS Cup bid this season and has helped fire the new franchise to the final on December 9, when they will face Portland Timbers. It’s increasingly likely that it will be the Paraguayan’s final game for the club, but Newcastle will have to fight off competition for his signature, with West Ham among those also interested.

The report claims that Atlanta will demand £25m for the playmaker’s services, but Benitez seemed confident of getting his man. When asked if the club were ready to “strike early” in January, Benitez said: “Yes I thinks so. If you identify the player and say this one, that’s it. We are close. But we will see what happens.”

Almiron ended the regular season in MLS as the third highest rated player in the division (7.77), scoring 12 times and register 11 assists.