SAUDI PRO LEAGUE CLUB WANTS TO FINALISE MOVE FOR STAR; MOVE FOR NEWCASTLE UNITED ACE LESS LIKELY.
HITC disclosed last week that the Pro League club had attempted to secure a trade for Almiron.
Newcastle were not in a hurry to sign Almiron during this window, but they were open to proposals, and it is understood that a deal worth £30 million would have been acceptable – allowing them to complete other business this month.
29-year-old Almiron is an extremely popular character in Tyneside, and it would have needed a big offer to get him to go, but that now appears doubtful.
Al-Shabab, who are close to signing Croatian star Ivan Rakitic from Sevilla, wanted Almiron, but the Pro League’s deadline window expires on Tuesday, making a move doubtful.
It is known that they may come for him in the summer, but Eddie Howe will be pleased to hear that he is staying.
Howe spoke about Almiron following the weekend’s FA Cup victory against Fulham, which the Paraguayan missed due to sickness.
“Miggy has been extremely important to us.” Last year, he was a major goal scorer for us. “This year, he’s worked extremely hard and been dependable for us,” Howe told the Journal.
“He’s always been fit and hasn’t missed many games, which has been critical to us during a period of high injury rates among our attacking players.
“He’s not underestimated by me in terms of his personality and what he produces on the pitch so of course I would like to keep him.”
