Arsenal given stark warning over bid to sign star Paraguayan

Arsenal have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Miguel Almiron after being told they would have to triple their offer for the Atlanta United attacker.

Almiron has emerged as a target for several European clubs after scoring 12 goals and adding 11 assists in the MLS this season. Arsenal are understood to be at the front of the queue, but Atlanta’s president has laughed off claims of an £11m bid.

Darren Eales – whose surname was misspelled as Eagles in some reports – told the 92.9 The Game radio show: “So there were two clues as to why that was total nonsense, one was Eagles, not Eales.

“And the other was the suggestion of £11m because it would have to take at least triple that for me to even get out of bed and think about any bids for Almiron.

“So everyone knew, as soon as they saw that figure, that it was a load of rubbish.”

Eales then reiterated that the suggested figure was nowhere near enough to land Almiron, describing it as “way, way light, absolutely”.

Attacking midfielder Almiron, 24, has 13 caps for Paraguay, and has also drawn the attention of Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.

But as we reported on Tuesday, Arsenal are reported to be leading the chase for the former Cerro Porteno and Lanus No.10 and are currently working on a deal to ensure he will move to north London once the MLS season finishes later this month.

As we understand it, Arsenal remain hopeful of striking a deal before the end of the month – despite Eales’ warning – and having the attacking midfielder in place at their training base once the transfer window opens in January.

The player could be seen as a direct replacement for Aaron Ramsey, whom Tuesday’s papers claim is once again set for a move to Liverpool in January.

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