Fabrizio Romano confirms another transfer breakthrough for Newcastle United with ‘verbal agreement’

Newcastle United paid a club-record fee of around £21 million to sign Paraguayan forward Miguel Almirón in January 2019.

His arrival coincided with a 2-1 victory over Manchester City, which sparked a renewed sense of optimism on Tyneside.

Aside from a standout spell during the 2022-23 season that helped Newcastle qualify for the Champions League, Almirón’s time at the club is unlikely to be remembered for world-class performances.

However, his enthusiasm and tireless work rate have been unmatched by many of his teammates, past or present.

After Newcastle’s 3-1 win over Southampton, manager Eddie Howe pushed the 30-year-old to the front of the away end to receive a heartfelt ovation from the supporters.

When asked if this marked a “goodbye,” Howe remained ambiguous, but it’s widely anticipated that Almirón will depart before the window closes.

Earlier this month, Isaac Hayden, Alex Murphy, Travis Hernes, and Charlie McArthur all left on loan. Howe explained his decision to bring Almirón forward:

“It wasn’t really planned. The crowd was giving him so much love, and I just felt it was important to acknowledge that.

Miggy doesn’t have a huge ego, and he’s not someone who craves the attention.

But I thought it was important to let the fans show their appreciation for his attitude, commitment, and performances.

I’m not saying it’s a goodbye, as we don’t know what will happen, but it was a special moment for him.”

Italian sports journalist Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the deal is set to go through.

Almirón will travel to the US to join Atlanta United, with a verbal agreement already in place for a four-and-a-half-year contract.

The transfer fee is reportedly around $12 million, and Almirón will undergo medical tests before finalizing the move.