OFFICIAL: Newcastle sells Miguel Almiron back to Atlanta FC
Newcastle’s partnership with fan-favorite Miguel Almiron is over.Miggy will return to Atlanta United in a deal worth approximately £9.5 million, as reported by The Guardian’s Louise Taylor and Jacob Steinberg. Fabrizio Romano—among many others—has reported similar news, so we can consider it a done deal.The only thing pending is the official announcement—which is set for Friday, coinciding with the sixth anniversary of Almiron’s arrival in Tyneside back on Jan. 31, 2019.The Paraguay international has agreed personal terms with the MLS side and is expected to sign a four-and-a-half-year contract, pending a medical and the announcement from both clubs.
This sale marks the end of Almiron’s six-year tenure on Tyneside, where he made 223 appearances and scored 30 goals since joining the Magpies in 2019 for £21 million with Rafa Benitez at the helm.Almiron’s departure comes after he fell out of Howe’s favor this season for one reason or another, starting just one Premier League match for Newcastle and getting replaced mostly by a ridiculously unplayable Jacob Murphy on the starting XI.However, the truth is that Miggy played a key role in Newcastle’s successful 2022-23 campaign, which saw the Magpies qualify for the Champions League. In simple terms, no Miggy, no European berth.His final appearance for Newcastle came during the Magpies’ 3-1 win over Southampton on Saturday, where he came off the bench in what appeared to be a farewell gesture followed by an actual farewell after the final whistle.Almiron’s decision to return to Atlanta, where he previously won an MLS Cup in 2018, comes after he rejected interest from Charlotte FC and Saudi clubs last season, and it’s actually a full-circle move for him and both sides, so it’s not the worst of outcomes for anyone involved—fans of Atlanta and NUFC included.The move will also give a little financial boost to Newcastle as they keep navigating the murky waters of the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) ahead of the summer transfer window and with no incoming transfers expected through January, according to the aforementioned report.Thanks for everything, Miggy!
