Newcastle United sent shockwaves around the Premier League with a 2-1 victory over Pep Guardiola’s champions at St James’s Park to leave the door wide open for Liverpool to extend their lead at the top even further when they face Leicester City later today.
After going behind just seconds into the match, Rafa Benitez did his former club a huge favour by masterminding the brilliant comeback at home to oversee what was the Geordies’ first win against the citizens in 23 meetings.
After their FA Cup fourth round exit to Watford, the Spaniard came under a lot of scrutiny from the press for his team selection but the huge win should silence some of his critics at least for the time being.
While the result on the pitch has obviously left fans elated, the work done by the club off of it should also make fans happy as MLS star Miguel Almiron is reportedly closing in on a switch to Newcastle United.
The 24-year-old set the MLS alight last season with his 12 goals playing a pivotal part as Atlanta went on to win their first MLS cup and has since been courted by a number of clubs from Europe.
The Paraguayan midfielder is expected to break the £16m club transfer record set by Michael Owen and Benitez clearly hopes Almiron will prove to be Newcastle’s “missing link” in his preferred 4-2-3-1 system.
Fans wary of the huge sums of money being outlaid on the relatively unknown star from America should definitely be encouraged after watching some of these tweets from his fans from the MLS.
After moving to the states from Argentina, the pacey youngster has notched up an impressive 21 goals in 62 appearances for Atlanta and fans were showering him with praise as he leaves the country for his big break.
Clearly a popular man in the USA. Check out these tweet from his fans:
https://twitter.com/victortun09/status/1090455288770121728
Miggy Almiron, an absolute baller! My first time calling a match in Atlanta, a night I’ll never forget. #ATLUTD #UniteAndConquer #MLS pic.twitter.com/w7NSwm4N38
— Kevin Egan (@kev_egan) January 30, 2019
I waited so long for MLS to become a league with good enough players that were worth selling, but it's honestly pretty painful having to watch these guys leave not knowing if we'll see them in MLS again.
Almiron, Davies, and Adams all gone for 2019? #MLS #RBNY #ATLUTD #VWFC pic.twitter.com/ltkps5i0Vd
— MLS Buzz (@MLS_Buzz) January 30, 2019
As someone who lives in North America and watches the MLS regularly, I can safely say Miguel Almiron is going to be such an exciting player to watch in the PL. An absolute joy to watch live. Speed and explosiveness. pic.twitter.com/2WtwWIMXQl
— joão moutinho (@WolvesMTL) January 30, 2019
We will miss you in #ATL, but wish you all the best #Almiron – will cheer for you wherever you go. @ATLUTD @MLS https://t.co/GeekdqT2v9
— Angela Walter Wells (@AngWWells) January 30, 2019
Almiron maybe the long overdue gift for Benitez from Mike Ashley as the Spaniard contemplates his future at the club beyond this summer and the midfielder’s signing may just about convince him to prolong his stay at Tyneside.