Miguel Almiron explains infamous Newcastle exit quotes

With Premier League safety in sight Miguel Almiron has revealed he never said he wanted to quit Newcastle United.

Newcastle boss Steve Bruce has laid into Almiron’s “two-bob” agent Daniel Campos for his comments about the player’s future last year. Campos said Almiron was looking for a transfer and even claimed Inter Milan were interested in the Paraguay star. He was recently quoted in an interview with Paraguayan radio station ABC Cardinal saying he wanted to “play for a side that fights more”. Campos then claimed: “If it wasn’t for the pandemic, he would have been elsewhere.”

The comments from Almiron are said to have incensed some of his Newcastle team-mates.

The forward went on to say he felt “happy” and “comfortable” at St James’ Park but the damage had already been done. Football Insider reported that several of his colleagues had taken umbrage to those words.

However, now in an interview with Sky Sports, Almiron has said the interview came across badly.

“What I was speaking about has been wrongly interpreted. At no point was I suggesting I wanted to play for another team.

“As I’ve been saying, I’m very happy in Newcastle. And all I’m thinking about is helping the team achieve its goals of improving.”

Looking ahead to the immediate challenge on Tyneside, Almiron said: “In the short term, the focus is fully on keeping Newcastle in the Premier League and finishing the season well. We want to reach as high as we can in the league and right now, I’m not looking too far beyond this.”

Almiron, who arrived from MLS side Atlanta United in January 2019, has made 29 Premier League appearances this season. He also started at Anfield last weekend as the Magpies grabbed a point which leaves then nine points clear of the drop zone with five games remaining.

Survival looks a distinct possibility for Almiron, who is learning English, and the Magpies.

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English lessons

“It challenges me a little but I’m learning,” he said. “English is a difficult language and the accent up here is a bit complicated! It’s a little bit more closed but I’m learning.

“It’s been a good season for me overall given the circumstances. I feel I have adapted well to a new country and a new league. Football in the Premier League and in England is very different to playing in MLS. But my team-mates and the manager have helped me greatly.

“Right now, I have to keep on working hard in order to improve, but I’m very happy here in Newcastle.

“The truth is that when the gaffer [Steve Bruce] speaks English during training to the group, I understand him and the instructions he’s getting across. But having Javier Manquillo, Federico Fernández and Joelinton as team-mates certainly helps.”

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