Agent claims Newcastle star will leave ‘when everything returns to normal’

The agent of Newcastle star Miguel Almiron has hinted that the Paraguay international could have left the club if things had been normal this summer.

Almiron was Newcastle’s record signing for a brief period of time after joining the club in January 2019. He made a positive impression at first, but his fortunes have taken a turn for the worse since.

He scored eight goals in his first full season with Newcastle, more than any of his teammates. However, he is yet to get off the mark in the Premier League this term.

Almiron has struggled to cement his place in Steve Bruce’s starting lineup, only managing four league appearances from the first minute in 2020-21.

Therefore, there have been questions over whether Newcastle could be getting more out of him. Now, those concerns have been compounded further by comments from his agent.

Daniel Campos claims his client would have left Newcastle if the coronavirus pandemic had not affected football finances in the summer – and did little to commit Almiron’s long-term future to Tyneside amid links with Atletico Madrid.

“Miguel Almiron was being observed by Atletico Madrid but no offer was made,” Campos told Paraguayan radio station Futgol 970.

“When everything returns to normal, Miguel will take a leap in quality.”

Almiron aiming for possession-based team

Campos continued: “Miguel’s work rate at Newcastle and Paraguay has been great. If it wasn’t for the pandemic, he would have been elsewhere.

“Perhaps he would like to play for a team that has a lot of possession. Maybe in June, he’ll make that jump.”

Almiron remains under contract at Newcastle until 2024, so would presumably not come cheap even if a club like Atletico came in for him.

READ MORE: Steve Bruce insists Newcastle want to play ‘more expansive’ style