Atlanta United and Newcastle agreed to terms on Tuesday on the transfer of Miguel Almiron, according to the Atlanta Journal-Consitution's Doug Roberson.
A source close to the player informed Roberson of Almiron's move to the English Premier League.
Financial terms aren’t yet known. Almiron, one of the best players in MLS the past two seasons, will fly to Newcastle on Tuesday for a physical.
Almiron, 24, helped Atlanta United win the MLS Cup last season. In two seasons, he has scored 21 goals, added 28 assists and twice been named an All-Star.
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He will join a Newcastle side that is fighting to avoid relegation in the Premier League. Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez reportedly made Almiron his top transfer target in the January window to try to help the team improve upon its 21 points, which is just two above the 18th-place team on the table.
Financial terms aren’t yet known, but Atlanta United President Darren Eales has said that he values the Paraguayan at $30 million. Newcastle, notoriously thrifty, has reportedly not wanted to offer more than $20 million.
Atlanta United declined to comment, citing its policy of not responding to reports involving personnel. However, last week Vice President Carlos Bocanegra cryptically said that he the team had options for the sale of Almiron, or the sale or loan of Ezequiel Barco.
Almiron has repeatedly said that is his dream to play for a club in England or in Europe, but has also said that he is happy to stay at Atlanta United.
Atlanta United was in a position where it needed to either sale Almiron or sale or loan Barco because of MLS rules, which don’t allow a team to have more than three Designated Players, a classification signifying that a player makes more than $540,000. Atlanta United had four DPs: Almiron, Barco, Josef Martinez, the reigning MLS MVP, and Pity Martinez, who was signed last week.
Newcastle has one of the worst offenses in the Premier League this season with just 19 goals, tied for the second fewest among the league’s 20 teams. Almiron, who is primarily left-footed, should help the Magpies’ offense with his speed, endurance and technical ability.
This article was written by the Atlanta Journal-Consitution's Doug Roberson.
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